1. Purpose. This Article regulates the location, size, placement, and certain features and characteristics of signs in order to:
a. Enable the public to locate goods, services, and facilities without difficulty or confusion.
b. Avoid traffic hazards, confusion between signs and traffic control devices, and traffic congestion.
c. Reduce visual clutter, distraction, and obstructions along public streets and sidewalks.
d. Prevent hazards to life and property.
e. Protect property values.
f. Ensure the continued attractiveness of the city.
2. Applicability
a. Where Allowed. Signs are allowed in the City in accordance with this Article, which apply to all signs that are visible from public property, a public right-of-way, or public travel easement. Signs that are not allowed by this Article are prohibited.
b. Exceptions. This Article does not apply to the following signs, except for the traffic and maintenance requirements described in Sec. 24-103, “Maintenance, Repair, Removal, and Abandonment”, and Sec. 24-106, General Provisions:
i. Art, as defined herein.
ii. Address numerals and other signs required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation, provided the size of the signs do not exceed the requirements of such law, order, rule, or regulation.
iii. Flags, or emblems that do not include a commercial message and are displayed on public or private property as applicable.
iv. Governmental Signs, defined as a sign of a regulatory nature, which is installed, maintained, or used by the city, county, state, or federal government; and, a sign required or authorized for a public purpose under city, county, state, or federal government regulations.
v. Signs existing, or previously displayed, as of February 1, 2024, EXCEPT that any modification, alteration, or change of such signs other than ordinary repair and maintenance require that the entire sign comply with this Article.
vi. Letters, logos, and/or graphics located on the bottom six inches of an awning, provided they are no more than six inches in height and consist of no more than one line.
vii. News rack and newsstand signs provided they do not display off-premise commercial messages or general advertising messages.
viii. Small permanent signs, not exceeding five square feet each in area, displayed on private property and located so as not to cause traffic hazards (note: examples include markers for entrance and exit drive, parking areas, one-way drives, restrooms, freight entrances, accepted credit cards, self-serve pumps, automatic teller machines, teller or drive-up windows, and similar informational signs).
ix. Tablet Signs, defined as a noncommercial sign carved into stone, concrete, or similar material or made of metal or other permanent type construction and made an integral part of a structure or permanently attached thereto.
x. Messages displayed on equipment such as a gasoline pump, vending machine, or collection box that do not display off-premise commercial messages or general advertising messages and that are located entirely on and internal to the equipment, and do not extend from the surface of the equipment.
c. Substitution of Messages:
i. Subject to the consent of the party responsible for the sign, a non-commercial message of any type may be substituted, in whole or in part, in place of any commercial message or non-commercial message, provided that the sign and sign structure otherwise meet the requirements of this Article without consideration of message content. Such substitution may be made without any additional approval or permitting. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary within this Article.
ii. This provision does not create a right to increase the total amount of signage on a parcel; does not affect the requirement that a sign structure, mounting device and method or type of display of the message are properly permitted; does not allow a change in the physical structure of a sign, its mounting device, or the method or type of display of the message; and does not allow the substitution of any off-site commercial message in place of an on-site commercial message or a non-commercial message.
d. Signs Prohibited or Allowed by State Law: This Article does not allow any sign that is illegal under State or Federal law, or prohibit any sign allowed by State or Federal law.
3. Permitting: No sign may be erected without a sign permit unless otherwise stated in this Article.
1. Unlawful Signs. No person may erect, construct, install, place, change, relocate, maintain, or attach, on any premises, any sign in violation of the provisions of this Article, Chapter, or the Code of Ordinances. All signs which do not comply with this Article, and all other codes, ordinances, and regulations of the City, are unlawful and must be immediately removed.
2. Inspections. All signs located within the City are subject to inspection by the City for compliance with this Article and other applicable City codes, ordinances, and regulations.
1. Maintenance and Repair. Each sign located in the City must be of sound structural quality, maintained in a safe manner, and have a clean and neat appearance, including the replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning, and other similar acts.
2. Removal for Repair. Whenever any sign, either conforming or nonconforming, is required to be removed for the purpose of repair, re-lettering, or repainting, the same may be done without a permit or without any payment of fees provided that all of the following conditions are met:
a. There is no alteration or remodeling to the structure or the mounting of the sign itself.
b. There is no increase in any of the dimensions of the sign or its structure.
c. There is no alteration to the type of illumination or operational characteristics of the sign.
d. The sign is accessory to a legal permitted, conditional, or nonconforming use.
3. Removal Due to Damage or Disrepair. Signs that are deemed unsafe or dangerous as defined in the adopted property maintenance code will be remedied by the procedures outlined in that code.
4. Abandoned Signs. Except as otherwise provided in this Article, any sign that is located on property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of three months or more, or any sign which pertains to a time, event, or purpose which no longer applies, will be deemed to be abandoned. Permanent signs applicable to a business temporarily suspended because of change of ownership or management of such business will not be deemed abandoned unless the property remains vacant for a period of six months or more. An abandoned sign must be removed in its entirety, including its support structure and base.
1. Continuation of Nonconforming Signs. A nonconforming sign may continue to exist as a nonconforming sign, except as provided in this Section. A sign that does not comply with these regulations, and is not a nonconforming sign as defined, will be considered unlawful.
2. Alteration or Repair of Nonconforming Signs. A nonconforming sign may not be altered or repaired unless the nonconforming sign is brought into conformance with all applicable regulations, except as follows:
a. Change of copy: The alteration or change of the copy of a nonconforming sign by replacing sign panels will be permitted, as long as such alteration or change does not change the sign’s dimensions, structure, type of illumination, or operational characteristics, or otherwise increase its area.
b. Repair or replacement: The repair or replacement of a nonconforming sign, which is necessary due to acts of God, or due to actions or inactions that are not attributed to the sign owner or property owner, will be permitted, as long as the repair or replacement does not change the sign’s dimensions, structure, type of illumination, or operational characteristics, or otherwise increase its area. In the case of replacement, a sign permit will be required.
c. Normal maintenance: The normal maintenance and repair of a nonconforming sign, as required by Sec. 24-103, Maintenance, Repair, Removal, and Abandonment, will be permitted, as long as the normal maintenance and repair does not change the sign’s dimensions, structure, type of illumination, or operational characteristics, or otherwise increase its area.
3. Loss of Nonconforming Status. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, a nonconforming sign will lose its nonconforming status and must thereafter comply with all applicable requirements in either of the following circumstances:
a. If the nonconforming sign is removed due to actions or inactions that are attributed to the sign owner or property owner, pursuant to Sec. 24-103, Maintenance, Repair, Removal, and Abandonment; or
b. If the nonconforming sign is abandoned, pursuant to Sec. 24-103, Maintenance, Repair, Removal, and Abandonment.
4. Signs for Legal Nonconforming Uses. Any new or additional sign for a nonconforming use must comply with this Article 24, District Sign Regulations, for the zoning district that the nonconforming use is located within. Provided that, any new or additional sign to be installed for a nonconforming use that would not comply with this Division may be approved through a conditional use permit.
1. Computation of Sign Area. Formulas for calculating sign area in the shape of a rectangle, square, triangle, ellipse, circle, or similar common geometric shapes will use commonly accepted mathematical methods. These calculations are described in Sec. 24-106 General Provisions.
2. Measurement of the Area of a Sign. (See Figure 24-105a, “Sign Area Measurements)”
a. Signs in Frames or Cabinets. The area of a sign enclosed in a frame or cabinet will be determined on the basis of the outer dimensions of the frame or cabinet surrounding the sign face(s). The area and dimensions of the sign will encompass a regular geometric shape (rectangle, circle, trapezoid, triangle, etc.), or a combination of regular geometric shapes, which form, or approximate, the perimeter of all elements in the display.
b. Signs Composed of Individual Letters, Figures, or Elements on a Wall, Window, or Similar Surface of a Building or Structure. The area and dimensions of the sign will be encompassed by a regular geometric shape (rectangle, circle, trapezoid, triangle, etc.), or a combination of regular geometric shapes, which form, or approximate, the perimeter of all elements in the display, and any applied background that is not part of the architecture of the building or structure. When separate elements are organized to form a single message, but are separated by open space, the sign area and dimensions will be calculated by determining the geometric form, or combination of forms, which encompass all of the display areas, including the space between different elements. For signs with mixed-case lettering, a rectangle will be drawn around either the ascending or descending letters, but not both, as shown in Figure 24-105a, “Sign Area Measurements.”
c. Monument Signs. The sign area will be determined by the regular geometric shape (rectangle, circle, trapezoid, triangle, etc.), or a combination of regular geometric shapes that encompass the perimeter of the sign display or message and all portions of a background surface that differentiate the message display area from the overall monument structure.
d. Pylon Signs. The sign area will be determined by the regular geometric shape (rectangle, circle, trapezoid, triangle, etc.), or a combination of regular geometric shapes that encompass the perimeter of the freestanding structure, but will not include:
i. The pole or other structural support, unless such pole or structural support is internally illuminated, or otherwise so designed to constitute a display device, or to be an integral part of the sign display; or
ii. Architectural features that are part of the freestanding structure but are not an integral part of the sign display, which may consist of landscaping, retaining walls, or structural forms complementing the site in general.
e. Digital Graphic Sign or Digital Animated Sign. If this type of sign is combined with one or more sign types or elements, such as a pylon sign with multiple sign elements, then this sign type’s display area will be used to calculate the sign area. If this sign type is not combined with other signs, such as a separate wall sign, then the sign area will be calculated using the above means of measurement.
f. Three Dimensional Signs. The sign face area will be determined on the basis of the maximum surface area visible from any one perspective.
g. Awnings, Canopies and Marquees. When signs are incorporated into awnings, canopies and marquees, the sign area will be determined by measuring the area encompassed by a regular geometric shape (rectangle, circle, trapezoid, triangle, etc.), or a combination of regular geometric shapes, which form, or approximate, the perimeter of all elements in the sign display or message.
h. Temporary signs. The sign area will be determined on the basis of the perimeter dimensions of the temporary sign.
i. Double-Faced Signs:
i. When two identical sign faces are placed back-to-back so that both faces cannot be viewed from any single perspective at the same time, and are part of the same sign structure, the sign area will be computed by measurement of one of the two faces. When a sign has more than two display surfaces, the area of the sign will be the area of largest display surfaces that are visible from any single perspective.
ii. When a double-faced sign having nonparallel faces such that the angle between the faces exceeds 24 degrees, the sign area will be calculated as the total of both sign faces.
3. Determining Sign Height
a. The height of a ground sign will be measured from the ground to the highest point of the sign structure. (See Figure 24-105b,”Measuring Sign Height”)
b. The height of a wall sign will be measured from the point where the supporting wall meets the ground to the top of the highest point of the wall sign.
1. Signs on Public Property Owned or Controlled by the City of South Hutchinson. No sign may project over or be located on public property or a public right-of-way, except as follows:
a. A sign for which a sign permit has been issued that specifically authorizes the sign to be placed in the public right-of-way.
b. Political Signs. Signs which are political signs and comply with the applicable provisions of this Article.
2. Illumination. Illuminated signs may not cause glare or cast light upon property located in any residential district or upon a public street or travel easement that exceeds three foot-candles at the property line. Neither the direct, nor the reflected light from any signage light source may create a traffic hazard or distraction to operators of motor vehicles or bicycles on public streets or private drives.
3. Other Applicable Federal, State and Local Laws. All signs must comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws.
4. Blockage of Driveways. No sign may block any required driveway. No sign or sign structure may be erected in such a manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere in any way with free use of any fire escape, exit, or standpipe. No sign may obstruct any window to such an extent that any light or ventilation is reduced to a point below that which is required by City codes or other laws.
5. Clear-Vision Triangle. No sign is permitted in a clear-vision triangle, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Code.
1. Digital Graphic Signs
a. Location. Digital graphic signs are subject to the following location restrictions:
i. On a principal building façade.
ii. As part of a monument, pylon or island canopy sign for which the digital graphic portion is part of the continuous display surface of the sign.
iii. No closer than 100 feet from the nearest residential district property line.
iv. On a lot that is part of a district of at least 600 feet of continuous commercial or industrial zoning fronting along the same side of the street as the lot, without interruption by a residence.
b. Duration of Message and Transitions. The sign message must remain static for a period of not less than 60 seconds. The transition from one message to the next must be direct and immediate, without any special effects including dissolving, fading, scrolling, starbursts, and wiping.
c. Image Characteristics. Digital graphic signs may have a pitch of no greater than 20 millimeters between each pixel.
d. Luminance. Between sunrise and sunset the maximum luminance may be 464.5 foot-candles; between sunset and sunrise the maximum luminance may be 46.45 foot-candles. All signs with a digital display having illumination by means other than natural light must be equipped with an automatic dimmer control or other mechanism that automatically controls the sign’s brightness to comply with this requirement.
2. Digital Animated Signs. Digital Animated Signs are only allowed as specifically authorized under the terms of a special event permit or conditional use permit issued pursuant to this Code. A Digital Graphic Sign may be temporarily converted to a Digital Animated Sign as specifically allowed by a special event permit or conditional use permit issued pursuant to this Code.
3. Portable Signs. Portable signs are considered temporary signs, but due to their unique physical and aesthetic characteristics, are subject to the following restrictions:
a. Time limits for the display of portable signs must be specifically stated on the sign permit.
b. Portable signs are not permitted in residential zoning districts.
c. Portable signs may be displayed for a period up to 30 consecutive days and a total of 60 days per lot in any calendar year.
d. There may be no more than one Portable Sign per lot.
4. Temporary Signs. Temporary signs may be permitted in all zoning districts subject to the limitations found in this Section. These signs may remain installed on the property while the property is for sale or lease, and may remain until the real estate is sold or leased.
a. Number of Signs: Two signs per street frontage.
b. Maximum Gross Area:
i. SR, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, and R-2 Districts: Six square feet.
ii. R-3 and R-4 Districts: 16 square feet.
iii. C-0, C-1, C-2, and C-4 Districts: 20 square feet.
iv. AG, C-3, I-1, I-2, and I-3 Districts: 32 square feet.
v. PUD District: 20 square feet or as otherwise specified in the PUD Development Plan.
c. Sign Setback:
i. SR, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, and R-2 Districts:
1. Front Yard: Zero feet
2. Side and Rear Yard: Zero feet
ii. R-3 and R-4 Districts:
1. Front Yard: 10 feet
2. Side and Rear Yard: 5 feet
iii. C-0, C-1, C-2, and C-4 Districts:
1. Front Yard: 10 feet
2. Side and Rear Yard: 5 feet
iv. AG, C-3, I-1, I-2, and I-3 Districts:
1. Front Yard: 15 feet
2. Side and Rear Yard: 10 feet
v. PUD District:
1. Front Yard: 10 feet or as otherwise specified in the PUD Development Plan.
2. Side and Rear Yard: 5 feet or as otherwise specified in the PUD Development Plan.
d. Height:
i. SR, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, and R-2 Districts: Four Feet
ii. R-3 and R-4 Districts: 5 feet
iii. C-0, C-1, C-2, and C-4 Districts: 8 feet
iv. AG, C-3, I-1, I-2, and I-3 Districts: 8 feet
v. PUD District: 8 feet or as otherwise specified in the PUD Development Plan.
5. Subdivision Entry Signs. Subdivision Entry Signs are permitted to be erected in compliance with the following restrictions:
a. Sign Type Allowed: Monument Sign
b. Number of Signs: One sign per subdivision entrance.
c. Maximum Gross Area: 80 square feet.
d. Minimum Sign Setback:
i. Front Yard: Zero feet.
ii. Side Yard and Rear Yard: Five feet.
(NOTE: No Subdivision Entry Sign may violate the Vision Triangle or any other applicable provisions of this Code)
e. Maximum Height: Six feet.
f. Illumination Allowed: Externally illuminated or halo lit/reverse channel lit.
g. Use Limitations
i. Must be located outside of applicable clear-vision triangles and intersection sight distances, as well as any utility, drainage, and/or pedestrian/bicycle easements, unless approved by the City Engineer.
ii. May not be used to duplicate monument signs associated with street frontages and driveway entrances of multiple-family dwelling structures or complexes, or manufactured home parks.
6. Political Signs. Political signs are permitted on private property in all districts with the permission of the property owner or tenant, and within the unpaved right-of-way of city streets immediately adjacent to private property with the permission of the owner or tenant of such adjacent private property, subject to the following requirements:
a. Maximum Gross Area: Sixteen square feet.
b. Maximum height: Four feet.
c. Prohibited placement. Political signs may not be placed:
i. Within the center median of a city street; or
ii. Within the central island or splitter island of a roundabout; or
iii. In a manner that obstructs or interferes with a clear-vision triangle, including the right-of-way adjacent to any such clear-vision triangle; or
iv. Fewer than six feet from the back of the curb of a street or road; or
v. In any manner or location which, in the opinion of the City Engineer, creates a vehicular or pedestrian traffic safety concern due to impeded sight lines or sight distance, or obstructs a sidewalk in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
d. Responsible parties. The owner(s) and tenant(s) of property where a political sign is displayed in violation of this Subsection shall be jointly and individually liable for such violation. The person, party, or parties responsible for the placement or distribution of a political sign shall be liable for the removal of such sign.
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts, except as otherwise specified in this Article:
1. Animated Signs. Signs which consist of beacons, strobe lights, or search lights; or are animated by flashing, blinking, or traveling lights; or anything not providing constant color, brightness, and illumination; and rotating or moving signs; except as applies to permitted digital animated, digital graphic, and tri-vision off-premise signs.
2. Misleading Signs or Signs Impacting Traffic Safety. Signs, including signs located inside a building, which, by reason of position, size, shape, illumination, or color, may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with any traffic control sign, signal, or device, or which may interfere with, distract, mislead, or confuse traffic. No sign may be installed in a way that obstructs clear vision of persons using the streets, or may be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device. No sign, other than a governmental sign, which makes use of the words “Stop”, “Look”, “Danger”, or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character which may interfere with, distract, mislead, or confuse persons, may be visible from a public street, travel easement or private drive
3. Vehicles and Trailers used as Signs. Signs that are placed on or painted on a vehicle or trailer whose primary function is to serve as a sign rather than as a vehicle or trailer used in the day-to-day operation of a business. Such vehicles or trailers may not be driven on the streets of the city and must not be parked so as to be visible from any public street or private drive of the city.
4. Signs in Rights-of-Way.
a. Signs in the public rights-of-way and/or public travel easements unless otherwise specifically permitted by this Subsection. No sign that is exempt from this Article may be deemed to be permitted within the public rights-of-way and/or public travel easements.
b. Street Banner Signs are prohibited, except when erected by the City or when authorized by an agreement entered into between the City and the sign owner.
c. Sidewalk Signs are only allowed upon the public streets and rights-of-way pursuant to and in compliance with the terms and conditions of a currently valid sign permit issued by the City. The following requirements are applicable to Sidewalk Signs:
i. Maximum Sign Area (per face): 10 Square Feet
ii. Maximum Height: 5 Feet
5. Emitting Signs. Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or matter, except as specifically approved for digital animated signs.
6. Snipe Signs. Signs that are attached to a tree or utility pole.
7. Commercial Signs. No commercial sign is permitted that does not specifically identify or relate to a legally-permitted or approved use of the property such sign is located on.
8. Prohibited Signs. Any other signs that are prohibited by or are not specifically allowed by or exempted from these regulations.
When used in this Code, the below-listed terms shall be defined as follows:
1. Art means any painting, picture, drawing, sculpture or graphic engraving that is not a commercial sign.
2. Awning and Canopy Sign means a sign that is mounted, painted, or attached to an awning or canopy in such a manner that the sign is attached parallel to or flush against the surface(s) of the Awning or Canopy that such sign is attached to such that the wall becomes merely the supporting structure or forms the background surface, and which does not project more than 12 inches from such surface.
3. Changeable Copy Sign means a sign or portion thereof consisting of letters and/or numbers only that are manually changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign.
4. Commercial Sign means a sign that advertises a purchasable good or service. An individual who is not the owner of the property where the sign is installed may display information on the sign in exchange for the payment of a fee.
5. Digital Animated Sign means a sign utilizing LED, LCD, plasma, projected images, or any functionally equivalent technology, that is capable of automated, remote, or computer control to display a series of still images, video, or full-motion animation, or any combination of these.
6. Digital Graphic Sign means a sign utilizing LED, LCD, plasma, projected images, or any functionally equivalent technology, that is capable of automated, remote, or computer control to display a series of letters, numbers, and/or still images.
7. Governmental Sign means a sign of a regulatory nature, which is installed, maintained, or used by the city, county, state, or federal government; and, a sign required or authorized for a public purpose under city, county, state, or federal government regulations.
8. Halo Lit Signs and Reverse Channel Lit Signs means a sign with a hidden internal illumination source located behind individually mounted letters and/or logos having opaque front faces and sides, and clear or no back faces, whereby the illumination is projected onto the mounting surface resulting in a halo effect.
9. Illuminated Sign means a sign utilizing internal or external lights, which make the message more readable, typically, but not necessarily, during hours of darkness.
10. Island Canopy Sign means a sign fastened to, painted upon or otherwise mounted permanently upon an island canopy in such a manner that the sign is attached parallel to or flush against the wall such that the wall becomes merely the supporting structure or forms the background surface, and which does not project more than 12 inches from such wall.
11. Canopy Fascia Sign: A sign mounted flush against the vertical plane of a canopy fascia. In no case may the sign project beyond the perimeter of the fascia it is attached to.
12. Spanner Board Sign: Signs mounted flush against the vertical plane of a spanner board and in no case projecting beyond the perimeter of the spanner board. A spanner board is a structural member extending between two vertical support poles of the gasoline island canopy and permanently mounted to the poles at a height above the gasoline pumps and below the gasoline island canopy.
13. Sign Board Sign: Signage located on sign boards that are permanently mounted on the canopy support poles at a height above the gasoline pumps and below the gasoline island canopy.
14. Marquee Sign means a sign that can include electronic or manual changeable copy sign components on the fascia of a projecting sign that is supported from a building, without pillars or posts, and extends beyond the building, building line, or property line. A sign attached to the bottom of the marquee structure will be considered a pedestrian sign.
15. Monument Sign means a freestanding sign that has a total height of six feet or less.
16. Moving Sign means a sign that includes motion, movement, or the illusion of movement. A moving sign also includes the display of any item as part of such sign, such that the item is displayed and placed in motion, movement, or creates the illusion of movement.
17. Off-Premise Sign. A sign directing attention to a specific business, product, service, organization, person, entertainment, event or activity, or other commercial activity that is not sold, produced, manufactured, furnished, or conducted at the property where the sign is located. Also known as a billboard, off-site advertising, or outdoor advertising sign.
18. Pedestrian Sign means a permanent, projecting sign that is oriented and scaled toward pedestrians.
19. Permanent Sign means a sign that is attached to a building, a structure, or the ground by means of mounting brackets, bolts, welds, or other combination of attachment methods, thereby rendering the sign non-moveable or difficult to reposition without the use of tools.
20. Political Sign means an unlighted sign which is not permanently affixed to the ground, a building or other structure, displayed during a period of time beginning 45 days immediately preceding any primary, general, or special election as defined by the Reno County Election Offices, and continuing until two days after such election.
21. Portable Sign means a sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, designed to be moved from one location to another, including signs on wheels or with wheels removed, signs on legs or other framework designed to rest upon the ground or to be driven into the ground.
22. Projecting Sign means a sign, other than a pedestrian sign, which is attached to a building or wall and extends perpendicular at least 12 inches beyond the building or wall, or beyond the surface of that portion of the building or wall it is attached to.
23. Pylon Sign means a freestanding sign for which the support structure may or may not be visible or enclosed and has a total height greater than 6 feet.
24. Reverse Channel Lit Signs - see Halo Lit Signs.
25. Roof Sign. A sign which is erected, constructed, and maintained wholly upon or over the roof of a building and derives its principal support from the roof structure.
26. Sidewalk Sign. A self-supported portable sign that is not secured or attached to the ground or surface where it is located and that is placed upon a sidewalk within a public right-of-way.
27. Sign means any object, device, display, structure, or part thereof, situated outdoors or indoors, which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event or location by any means, including words, letters, numbers, figures, design, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images.
28. Snipe Sign means a sign made of any material when such sign is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise attached to trees, poles, fences or other objects, and the advertising matter appearing on it is not applicable to the present use of the premises such sign is located on.
29. Spanner Board Sign means a sign that is mounted flush to a structural member extending between two vertical support poles of a gasoline island canopy and permanently mounted to the poles at a height above the gasoline pumps and below the gasoline island canopy.
30. Street Banner Sign means a Temporary Sign that is located across a public right-of-way.
31. Subdivision Entry Sign means a permanent monument sign located on private property within 20 feet of the right-of-way along the vehicular entrance to a residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use subdivision consisting of five or more lots.
32. Tablet Sign means a noncommercial sign carved into stone, concrete, or similar material or made of metal or other permanent type construction and made an integral part of a structure or permanently attached thereto.
33. Temporary Sign means a sign which is not permanently affixed to the ground, a building or other structure. As an example, temporary signs include banners, pennants, feather signs, inflatables, and any sign whose structure is inserted into the ground so that it is easily removable.
34. Tri-Vision Sign means an off-premise sign which consists of rotating, non-internally illuminated louver displays which accommodate three separate advertising messages per sign face, to be displayed one at a time on a schedule. Tri-Vision Signs can be a Monument or Pylon Sign, or located on a principal building façade as a Wall Sign.
35. Wall Sign means a sign fastened to or painted on a wall of a building or structure in such a manner that the sign is attached parallel to or flush against the wall such that the wall becomes merely the supporting structure or forms the background surface, and which does not project more than 12 inches from such wall. Wall signs include signs incorporated into or onto a masonry wall or retaining wall.
36. Window Sign means a sign affixed to the exterior surface of a window with its message intended to be read or viewed from the exterior of the building.
Signs are allowed within the agricultural and residential districts of this Code (Zones AG, SR, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2, R-3, and R-4) as follows:
1. Signs allowed in AG District: The following signs are allowed in the “AG” Agricultural District:
a. All signs allowed in the SR, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, and R-2 Districts, EXCEPT that the maximum number of any type of sign (e.g. Monument Signs, Wall Signs) shall not exceed the number of such type of signs allowed below.
b. Monument Signs:
i. Maximum Sign Area: 40 square feet
ii. Maximum Height: 10 feet
iii. Total Number Allowed on Premises: 2
iv. Minimum Setbacks:
1. Front Yard: 15 feet
2. Street Side Yard: 15 feet
3. Side Yard: 3 feet
4. Rear Yard: 10 feet
v. Permitted Illumination: External
c. Wall Signs:
i. Maximum Sign Area: 60 Square Feet
ii. Total Number Allowed on Premises: One allowed per wall
iii. Entire sign must be contained within the envelope of the wall it is attached to, so that no portion of the sign projects above or below the perimeter of the wall it is attached to.
iv. Permitted Illumination: External
2. Signs Allowed in the SR, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, and R-2 Districts. The following signs are allowed in the “SR” Suburban Residential District; “R-1A”, “R-1B” and “R-1C” Single Family Residential Districts; and “R-2” Two Family Residential District:
a. Monument Signs:
i. Maximum Sign Area: 6 square feet
ii. Maximum Height: 3 feet
iii. Total Number Allowed on Premises: One sign per dwelling unit, with a maximum of two Monument Signs allowed on Premises.
iv. Minimum Setbacks:
1. Front Yard: 10 feet
2. Street Side Yard: 10 feet
3. Side Yard: 3 feet
4. Rear Yard: 10 feet
v. Permitted Illumination: External
b. Wall Signs:
i. Maximum Sign Area: 3 square feet
ii. Total Number Allowed on Premises: One allowed per wall
iii. Entire sign must be contained within the envelope of the wall it is attached to, so that no portion of the sign projects above or below the perimeter of the wall it is attached to.
iv. Permitted Illumination: External
3. Signs Allowed in the R-3 and R-4 Districts. The following signs are allowed in the “R-3” Medium Density Residential District and “R-4” Apartment House District:
a. All signs allowed in the SR, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, and R-2 Districts, EXCEPT that the maximum number of any type of sign (e.g. Monument Signs, Wall Signs) shall not exceed the number of such type of signs allowed below.
b. Monument Signs:
i. Maximum Sign Area: 32 square feet
ii. Maximum Height: 4 feet
iii. Total Number Allowed on Premises: One sign per dwelling unit, with a maximum of two Monument Signs allowed on Premises.
iv. Minimum Setbacks:
1. Front Yard: 10 feet
2. Street Side Yard: 10 feet
3. Side Yard: 10 feet
4. Rear Yard: 10 feet
v. Permitted Illumination: External
c. Wall Signs:
i. Maximum Sign Area: 8 square feet
ii. Total Number Allowed on Premises: One allowed per wall
iii. Entire sign must be contained within the envelope of the wall it is attached to, so that no portion of the sign projects above or below the perimeter of the wall it is attached to.
iv. Permitted Illumination: External
4. Signs for Conditional Uses: All signs allowed in the zoning district applicable to the property subject to the approved Conditional Use Permit, as well as all signs authorized by the Conditional Use Permit EXCEPT that no sign otherwise permitted by the underlying zoning district of the subject property shall be allowed that is specifically prohibited by the Conditional Use Permit.
Signs are allowed within the commercial districts of this Code (Zones C-0, C-1, C-2, C-3 and C-4 Districts) as follows:
1. Signs Allowed in the C-0, C-1, C-2, C-3 and C-4 Districts. The following signs are allowed in the “C-0” Commercial Office District, “C-1” Neighborhood Commercial District, “C-2” General Commercial District, and “C-4” Central Business District:
a. Awning Signs:
i. Total Number Allowed on Premises: One sign per building façade per establishment located within the Premises.
ii. Maximum Sign Coverage: The combined total square footage of Window Signs, Wall Signs, Awning Signs and Canopy Signs may not exceed 30 percent of the surface area of the establishment’s façade they are attached to, except that sign(s) located on a rear façade facing a public street may not exceed 40 square feet in area. In no case may a sign exceed 200 square feet in area.
iii. Entire sign must be contained within the envelope of the wall it is attached to, so that no portion of the sign projects above or below the perimeter of the wall it is attached to.
iv. Illumination: May be internally or externally illuminated.
b. Canopy Signs:
i. Total Number Allowed on Premises: One sign per building façade per establishment located within the Premises.
ii. Maximum Sign Coverage: The combined total square footage of Window Signs, Wall Signs, Awning Signs and Canopy Signs may not exceed 30 percent of the surface area of the establishment’s façade they are attached to, except that sign(s) located on a rear façade facing a public street may not exceed 40 square feet in area. In no case may a sign exceed 200 square feet in area.
iii. Entire sign must be contained within the envelope of the wall it is attached to, so that no portion of the sign projects above or below the perimeter of the wall it is attached to.
iv. Illumination: May be internally or externally illuminated.
c. Digital Graphic Signs:
i. Maximum Sign Area: No more than 32 square feet, which will be included in the calculation of the total permitted sign area.
d. Island Canopy Signs:
i. May incorporate manual changeable copy sign and/or digital graphic sign
ii. Maximum Sign Area: The total surface area of all signs on a single common canopy fascia may not exceed 30 percent of the area of the canopy that fascia signs are attached to.
iii. Total Number Allowed on Premises: No more than two signs per canopy fascia, which may not project above, below, or beyond the perimeter of the fascia it is attached to.
iv. Illumination: May be internally or externally illuminated.
e. Monument Signs OR Pylon Signs:
i. May incorporate manual changeable copy sign and/or digital graphic sign
ii. Maximum Sign Area: The maximum area of all of these signs on a single premises may not exceed one square foot for each one foot of frontage for each separate street frontage. Total allowed sign areas may not be combined and applied, in whole or in part, to one street frontage on premises with more than one street frontage. In no case may a sign exceed 200 square feet in area.
iii. Maximum Height:
1. Monument Signs: 10 feet
2. Pylon Signs: 30 feet
iv. Total Number Allowed on Premises: One sign per lot and per street frontage. If a lot has street frontage along a single street that is greater than 600 linear feet, one additional sign will be permitted within each increment of 600 linear feet.
v. Minimum Setbacks:
1. Front Yard: 10 feet
2. Street Side Yard: 10 feet
3. Side Yard: 10 feet
4. Rear Yard: 10 feet
vi. Illumination: May be internally or externally illuminated.
f. Sidewalk Signs: No more than two (2) Sidewalk Signs shall be allowed per establishment located within or upon any Premises.
g. Wall Signs:
i. Total Number Allowed on Premises: One sign per building façade per establishment located within the Premises.
ii. Entire sign must be contained within the envelope of the wall it is attached to, so that no portion of the sign projects above or below the perimeter of the wall it is attached to.
iii. Maximum Sign Coverage: The combined total square footage of Window Signs, Wall Signs, Awning Signs and Canopy Signs may not exceed 30 percent of the surface area of the establishment’s façade they are attached to, except that sign(s) located on a rear façade facing a public street may not exceed 40 square feet in area. In no case may a sign exceed 200 square feet in area.
iv. Illumination: May be internally or externally illuminated.
h. Window Signs:
i. Maximum Sign Area: No more than 25 percent of the window area the sign is attached to.
ii. No restriction concerning number of signs.
iii. Maximum Sign Coverage: The combined total square footage of Window Signs, Wall Signs, Awning Signs and Canopy Signs may not exceed 30 percent of the surface area of the establishment’s façade they are attached to, except that sign(s) located on a rear façade facing a public street may not exceed 40 square feet in area. In no case may a sign exceed 200 square feet in area.
iv. Entire sign must be contained within the envelope of the window it is affixed to, so that no portion of the sign projects above or below the perimeter of the window it is affixed to.
v. Illumination: May be internally or externally illuminated.
Signs are allowed within the industrial districts of this Code (Zones I-1, I-2 and I-3 Districts) as follows:
1. Signs Allowed in the I-1, I-2, and I-3 Districts. The following signs are allowed in the “I-1” Light Industrial District, “I-2” Medium Industrial District, and “I-3” Heavy Industrial District:
a. Awning Signs:
i. Total Number Allowed on Premises: One sign per building façade per establishment located within the Premises.
ii. Maximum Sign Coverage: The combined total square footage of Window Signs, Wall Signs, Awning Signs and Canopy Signs may not exceed 15 percent of the surface area of the establishment’s façade they are attached to, except that sign(s) located on a rear façade facing a public street may not exceed 40 square feet in area. In no case may a sign exceed 260 square feet in area.
iii. Entire sign must be contained within the envelope of the wall it is attached to, so that no portion of the sign projects above or below the perimeter of the wall it is attached to.
iv. Illumination: May be internally or externally illuminated.
b. Canopy Signs:
i. Total Number Allowed on Premises: One sign per building façade per establishment located within the Premises.
ii. Maximum Sign Coverage: The combined total square footage of Window Signs, Wall Signs, Awning Signs and Canopy Signs may not exceed 15 percent of the surface area of the establishment’s façade they are attached to, except that sign(s) located on a rear façade facing a public street may not exceed 40 square feet in area. In no case may a sign exceed 260 square feet in area.
iii. Entire sign must be contained within the envelope of the wall it is attached to, so that no portion of the sign projects above or below the perimeter of the wall it is attached to.
iv. Illumination: May be internally or externally illuminated.
c. Digital Graphic Signs:
i. Maximum Sign Area: No more than 32 square feet, which will be included in the calculation of the total permitted sign area.
d. Island Canopy Signs:
i. May incorporate manual changeable copy sign and/or digital graphic sign
ii. Maximum Sign Area: The total surface area of all signs on a single common canopy fascia may not exceed 30 percent of the area of the canopy that fascia signs are attached to.
iii. Total Number Allowed on Premises: No more than two signs per canopy fascia, which may not project above, below, or beyond the perimeter of the fascia it is attached to.
iv. Illumination: May be internally or externally illuminated.
e. Monument Signs OR Pylon Signs:
i. May incorporate manual changeable copy sign and/or digital graphic sign
ii. Maximum Sign Area: The maximum area of all of these signs on a single premises may not exceed one square foot for each one foot of frontage for each separate street frontage. Total allowed sign areas may not be combined and applied, in whole or in part, to one street frontage on premises with more than one street frontage. In no case may a sign exceed 200 square feet in area.
iii. Maximum Height:
1. Monument Signs: 10 feet
2. Pylon Signs: 30 feet
iv. Total Number Allowed on Premises: One sign per lot and per street frontage. If a lot has street frontage along a single street that is greater than 600 linear feet, one additional sign will be permitted within each increment of 600 linear feet.
v. Minimum Setbacks:
1. Front Yard: 10 feet
2. Street Side Yard: 10 feet
3. Side Yard: 10 feet
4. Rear Yard: 10 feet
vi. Illumination: May be internally or externally illuminated.
f. Wall Signs:
i. Total Number Allowed on Premises: One sign per building façade per establishment located within the Premises.
ii. Entire sign must be contained within the envelope of the wall it is attached to, so that no portion of the sign projects above or below the perimeter of the wall it is attached to.
iii. Maximum Sign Coverage: The combined total square footage of Window Signs, Wall Signs, Awning Signs and Canopy Signs may not exceed 15 percent of the surface area of the establishment’s façade they are attached to, except that sign(s) located on a rear façade facing a public street may not exceed 40 square feet in area. In no case may a sign exceed 260 square feet in area.
iv. Illumination: May be internally or externally illuminated.
g. Window Signs:
i. Maximum Sign Area: No more than 25 percent of the window area the sign is attached to.
ii. No restriction concerning number of signs.
iii. Maximum Sign Coverage: The combined total square footage of Window Signs, Wall Signs, Awning Signs and Canopy Signs may not exceed 15 percent of the surface area of the establishment’s façade they are attached to, except that sign(s) located on a rear façade facing a public street may not exceed 40 square feet in area. In no case may a sign exceed 260 square feet in area.
iv. Entire sign must be contained within the envelope of the window it is affixed to, so that no portion of the sign projects above or below the perimeter of the window it is affixed to.
v. Illumination: May be internally or externally illuminated.
The signs authorized in each Planned Unit Development District shall be those signs authorized in the PUD District’s Development Plan approved as part of the establishment of the “PUD” as specified within this code, as well as Temporary Signs and Political Signs otherwise authorized by this Code. In the event that any PUD District’s Development Plan fails to specify the signs authorized in such PUD District, the signs allowed in the “C-2” General Commercial District shall be authorized in such PUD District.
Off-Premise Advertising Signs shall be authorized within the City in the locations and subject to the regulations and restrictions as follows:
1. Districts Where Allowed: “C-2” General Commercial District, “C-3” Highway Service Commercial District, “C-4” Central Business District, “I-1” Light Industrial District, I-2” Medium Industrial District, and “I-3” Heavy Industrial District.
2. Permitted Sign Types: Monument, Pylon, Wall
3. Permitted Sign Types via Conditional Use Permit: Digital Graphic and Tri-Vision
4. Minimum Sign Separation Distances. The following distances are measured from one sign’s extremity to another’s.
a. The minimum separation distance between two digital graphic off-premise advertising signs is 5,000 feet. The minimum separation distance between a digital graphic off-premise advertising sign and all other off-premise advertising signs is 800 feet.
b. The minimum separation distance between all off-premise advertising signs that are not digital graphic signs is 800 feet.
c. Separation from Residential Districts: Off-premise advertising signs may be no closer than 200 feet to a residential district.
5. Required Sign Setbacks:
a. Front Yard and Rear Yard: 25 feet.
b. Side Yard: 15 feet.
6. Maximum Surface Area: 300 square feet.
7. Maximum Height:
a. Wall sign: Must not project above the building façade it is attached to.
b. Monument sign: Six feet.
c. Pylon sign: 50 feet.
8. Illumination: With the exception of digital graphic off-premise advertising signs, any illumination must be external and directed upward.
9. Use limitations:
a. Must be located on a parcel, tract, or lot that conforms to the minimum lot size requirements of the zoning district in which the sign is located.
b. Must be oriented towards the abutting street.
c. Must be constructed using a uni-pole design, except for wall signs.
d. The surface area of the off-premise advertising pylon sign does not count towards the permitted maximum surface area for all signs associated with a separate principal use located on the same property.
e. The surface area of off-premise advertising monument sign and wall sign will count towards the total permitted surface area for all signs associated with a separate principal use located on the same property.
f. Off-premise advertising sign faces must not be placed side by side or stacked vertically.
g. Double-faced off-premise advertising signs having nonparallel faces must be constructed so that the angle between the sign faces does not exceed 24 degrees and the total distance between the open ends of the faces does not exceed 10 feet.
h. Must not incorporate digital animated signs.
i. Any trim surrounding an off-premise advertising sign face and any extension(s) of the display surface must be included in the maximum allowed surface area. The sign base, structural members, and supports will be excluded from the maximum surface area, provided they do not constitute part of the display message.
10. Digital Graphic Off-Premise Advertising Sign Standards:
a. Must be approved by a Conditional Use Permit
b. Duration of Message and Transition: Notwithstanding other duration regulations in this Code to the contrary that generally govern Digital Graphic Signs, the sign message for a Digital Graphic Off-Premises Advertising Sign must remain static for a period of at least 20 seconds. The transition from one message to the next must be direct and immediate, without any special effects including: dissolving, fading, scrolling, starbursts, and wiping.
c. Image characteristics: Signs must have a pitch no greater than 20 millimeters between each pixel.
d. Luminance: During daylight hours (i.e., between sunrise and sunset) luminance cannot exceed 5,000 nits. During nighttime hours (i.e., and between sunset and sunrise) luminance cannot exceed 500 nits. All signs with a digital display having illumination by means other than natural light must be equipped with an automatic dimmer or other mechanisms that automatically controls the sign’s brightness to comply with this requirement.
e. Conversion of Billboards. The conversion of an existing off-premise advertising sign to a digital graphic off-premise advertising sign is not considered “maintenance”, and must be approved as a new Digital Graphic Off-Premises Advertising Sign by an approved Conditional Use Permit.