SampleOrdinance

The first step in developing a sign ordinance for your hometown is to decide what you want your town to look like and to determine the function of signs in the context of your community.

A good sign ordinance will address not only the size, location, and appearance of signs, but it will also state clearly why a sign ordinance is being developed (see Preamble below). It is essential that community leaders work together to develop a sign ordinance that meets the unique needs of their town.

It is the purpose of this article to:

1. Establish minimum standards for the control of commercial signage within the jurisdiction of the City and

2. To protect the public welfare and private and public property values by preserving the aesthetic qualities of the natural environment of the City and

3. To promote the safety of persons and property by providing that signs do not create traffic hazards or hazards due to collapse, fire, collision, decay, or abandonment and

4. To promote the efficient and economically viable transfer of general public and commercial identification or information by improving the legibility and effectiveness of signs through control of their number, location, size, appearance, illumination, and animation.

5. To protect open space and areas characterized by unique environmental, historical, and architectural resources.

I. Off-Premise Signs or Billboards

Off-premise signs or billboards are free-standing signs with a sign area greater than 96 square feet. It is the intent of this article to gradually reduce the number of off-premise signs or billboards in the City. Following the passage of this article:

1. There shall be no new off-premise signs or billboards erected within the City limits.

2. Any existing off-premise signs or billboards that are illegal, unsafe, or dilapidated must be removed within ninety (90) days from the passage of this article.

3. Any existing off-premise sign or billboard that is significantly damaged (50% of replacement value or greater) must be completely removed within ninety (90) days of the date upon which the damage occurs.

4. Off-premise signs may not be converted to or reclassified as on-premise signs.

5. No commercial message, logo, or emblem of any kind shall be integrated into or attached to any official street or highway sign, with the exception of TODS (logo) signs.

On-Premise Signs

On-premise signs exist at the location of the product or service associated with the sign. It is the intent of this article to eliminate the competitive nature of outdoor advertising by eliminating the clutter caused by excessive signage. Business visibility will be increased by reducing the size and number of signs, thereby making them easier to see relative to the surrounding landscape.

Following the passage of this article:

1. Any sign that is portable or was originally designed to be portable or any sign in which the area for changeable copy exceeds 75% of the total sign face area shall be removed from its premises within ninety (90) days from the passage of this article. Portable signs may not be attached to stationary structures or to the ground to circumvent the provisions of this article.

2. Any sign that is dilapidated, unsafe, illegible, or no longer correctly identifies the property upon which it is located must be completely removed within ninety (90) days from the passage of this article. Replacement signs must conform to the design requirements set forth in this article.

3. No new free-standing sign may be erected which exceeds ten (10) feet in height or thirty-six (36) square feet in area per side, with a maximum of two (2) sides per sign and a maximum of two (2) signs per parcel or premises.

4. A minimum setback of twelve (12) feet shall be maintained from the nearest right-of-way.

5. Any existing on-premise sign which does not meet the size and location requirements of this section shall be deemed non-conforming and may be replaced only with signage fully compliant with the provisions of this section when replaced due to any reason including damage, identification change, logo change, illegibility, or abandonment.

6. Any sign which is distracting to motorists or represents a fire or safety hazard must be removed within thirty (30) days from the passage of this article or within thirty (30) days from the date upon which the sign owner is notified.

7. Any sign lights or lighting that is distracting to motorists or is a nuisance to adjacent lots must be removed or truncated to reduce glare within ninety (90) days from the passage of this article.