| Appendix 8.00.00. General Provisions |
| § 8.00.01. Relationship to building and electrical codes |
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These sign regulations are intended to complement the requirements of the building and electrical codes adopted by the city. Wherever there is inconsistency between these regulations and the building code, electrical code or National Electrical Safety Code, the more stringent requirement shall apply. |
| § 8.00.02. Maintenance |
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All signs, including their supports, braces, guys and anchors, electrical parts and lighting fixtures, and all painted and display areas, shall be maintained in accordance with the building and electrical codes adopted by the city, and shall present a neat and clean appearance. The vegetation around, in front of, behind and underneath the base of ground signs for a distance of ten feet shall be neatly trimmed and free of unsightly weeds, and no rubbish or debris that would constitute a fire or health hazard shall be permitted under or near the sign. |
| Appendix 8.01.00. Exempt Signs |
| § 8.01.01. Generally. |
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The following signs are exempt from the operation of these sign regulations, and from the requirements in this code, provided they are not placed within the right-of-way of any road or constructed so as to create a hazard of any kind: A. Signs that are not designed or located so as to be visible from any street or adjoining property. B. On-premises signs of 32 square feet or less provided that the signs are no more than eight feet in height. C. Signs necessary to promote health, safety and welfare and other regulatory, statutory, traffic control or directional signs erected on public property with permission as appropriate from the State of Florida, the United States, Gadsden County or the city. D. Decorative flags and bunting for a celebration, convention or commemoration of significance to the entire community when authorized by the city for a prescribed period of time. E. Flags, emblems or insignias of the United States, State of Florida, Gadsden County, or the city. F. Reserved. G. Holiday lights and decorations. H. Religious displays. I. Signs or banners promoting a community event or an activity of charitable or community service nonprofit organization. |
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(Ord. No. 516, § 1, 7-11-06) |
| Appendix 8.02.00. Prohibited Signs |
| § 8.02.01. Generally |
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It shall be unlawful to erect, cause to be erected, maintain or cause to be maintained, any sign not expressly authorized by, or exempted from, this code. |
| § 8.02.02. Specifically |
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The following signs are expressly prohibited: A. Signs that are in violation of the building code or electrical code adopted by the city. B. Any sign that, in the opinion of the city, does or will constitute a safety hazard. C. Signs that obstruct the vision of pedestrians, cyclists or motorists traveling on or entering public streets. D. Signs which produce a noise or sound capable of being heard. E. Signs in which over 50 percent of the sign face consists of flashing lights or electronically programmed messages, except time and temperature signs. F. No signs shall be permitted in residential land use districts except temporary signs authorized in section 8.04.00, entrance signs authorized in section 8.03.04, and authorized home occupations signs. |
| Appendix 8.03.00. Permissible Permanent Accessory Signs |
| § 8.03.01. Sign types allowed |
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The following types of permanent accessory signs are allowed, provided that they meet all of the requirements of this code: A. Ground signs; or B. Building signs. |
| § 8.03.02. Permissible number, area and height of permanent accessory signs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A. Ground signs. The permissible number, area, spacing and height of permanent accessory ground signs for each multiple occupancy complex and each occupant not located in a multiple occupancy complex shall be determined according to the following tables and text: 1. Permissible ground signs.
2. Height. The maximum height for all ground signs is 18 feet or one-fourth foot per each foot of frontage on a public right-of-way, whichever is greater, to a maximum height of 50 feet. B. Building signs. 1. Subject to the design criteria in section 8.06.00 of this chapter, the maximum height of a building sign shall be 18 feet, except that on a building of more than two stories, a single building sign is allowed above 18 feet on each side of the building. 2. Each multiple occupancy complex may display one permanent accessory building sign on each side of the principal building or buildings in which the complex is located, not to exceed a sign area of up to ten percent of the facade area (see section 8.06.00, Measurement Determinations) of each building side or 200 square feet, whichever is smaller. 3. Each occupant of a multiple occupancy complex may display three permanent accessory building signs on any exterior portion of the complex that is part of the occupant's unit (not including a common or jointly owned area), not to exceed a total combined sign area of 15 percent of the facade area (see section 8.05.00 [8.06.00], Measurement Determinations) of such exterior portion or 200 square feet, whichever is smaller. 4. Each occupant not located in a multiple occupancy complex may display three permanent accessory building signs on each side of the principal building in which the occupancy is located, not to exceed a total combined sign area for each building side of 20 percent of the facade are (see section 8.05.00 [8.06.00], Measurement Determinations) of the building side or 200 square feet, whichever is smaller. C. Multiple frontages. If a building has frontage on two or more streets, each frontage shall be separately considered for the purposes of determining compliance with the provisions of these regulations, but the permissible sign area for one frontage may not be combined with that permitted on another frontage to increase the one right-of-way, measured as the sum of distances measured continuously along the rights-of-way through a common point or points. |
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| § 8.03.03. Directional signs |
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Directional signs limited in area to four square feet, giving directions to motorists regarding the location of parking areas and access drives shall be permitted as permanent accessory signs on all parcels and shall not be counted as part of an occupancy's allowable sign area. |
| § 8.03.04. Signs at entrances to residential developments |
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A. Generally. A permanent accessory sign may be displayed at the entrance to residential developments. B. Restrictions. 1. One sign is permitted at each entrance into the development from each abutting street. The sign may be a single sign with two faces of equal size or may be two single-faced structures of equal size located on each side of the entrance. No face of the sign shall exceed 40 square feet in size, and may be illuminated in a steady light only. Signs larger than this dimension may be approved by the city council. 2. When considering the placement of such signs, the city shall consider the location of public utilities, sidewalks and future street widenings. |
| § 8.03.05. Utility signs |
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Public utility signs that identify the location of underground utility lines and facilities, high voltage lines and facilities, and other utility facilities and appurtenances are permitted so long as they do not exceed three feet in height, and so long as the sign face does not exceed one-half square foot. |
| Appendix 8.04.00. Permissible Temporary Signs |
| § 8.04.01. Generally |
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The city recognizes that, by their nature, some signs are intended from their construction and design to serve a temporary purpose only. Such signs must satisfy the restrictions imposed by this section and other relevant parts of this Code. Political signs are considered temporary in nature and can only be placed on private property within the city limits. Political signs of any nature are not allowed to be placed on public rights-of-way or utility poles within the city limits. Any such sign placed in violation of this section will be removed by the city and a charge of $1.00 per sign will be charged for the return of such sign. Payment must be made at city hall prior to release of any impounded sign. Any political sign posted on private property shall be removed within 15 days following a campaign drive or election. |
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(Ord. No. 516, § 1, 7-11-06) |
| § 8.04.02. Removal of illegal temporary signs |
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Any temporary sign not complying with the requirements of this section is illegal and subject to immediate removal. |
| § 8.04.03. Permissible temporary signs |
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Temporary signs that serve the following functions are allowed, subject to the provisions of this code: A. To indicate that an owner, either personally or through an agent, is actively attempting to sell, rent or lease the property on which the sign is located. B. To indicate the grand opening or promotional sale for a business or other activity. C. To identify construction in progress. Such message shall not be displayed more than 60 days prior to the beginning of actual construction of the project, and shall be removed when construction is completed. If a message is displayed pursuant to this section, but construction is not initiated within 60 days after the message is displayed, or if construction is discontinued for a period of more than 60 days, the message shall be removed, pending the initiation or continuation of construction activities. D. To indicate the existence of a new business, or a business in a new location, if such business has no permanent signs. Such messages may be displayed for a period of not more than 60 days or until installation of permanent signs, whichever shall occur first. E. To announce or advertise such temporary uses as fairs, carnivals, circuses, revivals, sporting events, flea markets, or any public, charitable, educational or religious event or function. Such messages shall be removed within five days after the special event. |
| Appendix 8.05.00. Permanent Outdoor Advertising Signs |
| § 8.05.01. Size of permanent outdoor advertising signs |
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The maximum area of a permanent outdoor advertising sign face shall be 380.88 square feet which shall include a sign face ten feet seven inches in height and 36 feet in width. Embellishments shall be a maximum of five feet above the top, five feet to each side and three feet below the bottom of the sign face; provided, however, that all embellishments shall have a minimum clearance of ten feet from the grade of the thoroughfare to which the sign is oriented. |
| § 8.05.02. Location of permanent outdoor advertising signs |
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Permanent outdoor advertising signs which conform with the provisions of this section shall be permitted in the city. Property facing thoroughfares shall be subject to the following: A. Each side of a thoroughfare shall be considered separately. B. V-type or back-to-back permanent outdoor advertising signs shall be considered one sign. C. No outdoor advertising signs shall be located closer than 100 feet to any residential dwelling unit. D. No permanent outdoor advertising sign shall be located in such a manner as to obscure, or otherwise physically interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, signal or device, or obstruct or physically interfere with a driver's view of approaching or intersecting traffic. E. No permanent outdoor advertising sign, or any part thereof, shall be located less than 15 feet from the nearest edge of the road right-of-way. F. No permanent outdoor advertising sign shall consist of two or more sign faces stacked on top of each other or placed side by side to each other. G. Permanent outdoor advertising signs shall not be established in any location having principal frontage on any street within 100 feet of any property which is used for public parks, public schools, church, courthouse, city hall or public museum having principal frontage on the same street. H. No permanent outdoor advertising sign or part thereof shall be located on any property without the written consent of the owner, holder, lessee, agent or trustee. |
| § 8.05.03. Height of permanent outdoor advertising signs |
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There shall be a minimum clearance of ten feet to the bottom of a permanent outdoor advertising sign face and a maximum height of 65 feet to the top of a permanent outdoor advertising sign face, from grade of the thoroughfare to which the sign is oriented. Any embellishments at the bottom of the sign face will be considered in determining the ten-foot minimum clearance. |
| § 8.05.04. Lighting of permanent outdoor advertising signs |
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Permanent outdoor advertising signs may be illuminated, subject to the conditions of this section. |
| § 8.05.05. Permanent outdoor advertising signs which are prohibited |
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The following permanent outdoor advertising signs are not permitted within the city: A. Signs which are obsolete structures not meeting construction standards, out-of-date political billboards, and signs advertising defunct business. B. Signs which are not clean and in good repair. C. Signs which are illegal under state law or regulation. D. Signs that are not securely fixed on a substantial structure. E. Signs which attempt or appear to attempt to regulate, warn or direct the movement of traffic or which interfere with, imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device. F. Signs which are nonconforming and damaged or destroyed to an extent of more than 60% of fair market value. G. Signs that prevent free ingress or egress from any doors, window or fire escape; or that are attached to a standpipe fire escape. |
| § 8.05.06. Construction standards |
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All permanent outdoor advertising signs shall be constructed in accordance with the city building code. The city may order the removal and remove all signs constructed in contravention of this section in the same manner and by following the procedure for removing unsafe signs as set out in the building code. |
| Appendix 8.06.00. Measurement Determinations |
| § 8.06.01. Facade area |
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The facade area shall be measured by determining the area within a two-dimensional geometric figure coinciding with the edges of the walls, windows, doors, parapets, marquees, and roof slopes of greater than 45 degrees that form a side of a building or unit. |
| § 8.06.02. Sign area |
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A. Generally. The area of a sign shall be the area within the smallest square, rectangle, parallelogram, triangle, circle or semicircle, the sides of which touch the extreme points or edges of the sign face. B. Special situations. 1. Where a sign is composed of letters or pictures attached directly to a facade, window, door or marquee, and the letters or pictures are not enclosed by a border or trimming, the sign area shall be the area within the smallest rectangle, parallelogram, triangle, circle or semicircle, the sides of which touch the extreme points of the letters or pictures. 2. Where two sign faces are placed back to back on a single sign structure, and the faces are at no point more than four feet apart, the area of the sign shall be counted as the area of one of the faces. 3. Where four sign faces are arranged in a square, rectangle or diamond, the area of the sign shall be the area of the two largest faces. Where a sign is in the form of a three-dimensional object, the area shall be determined drawing a square, rectangle, parallelogram, triangle, circle or semicircle, the sides of which touch the extreme point or edges of the projected image of the sign and multiplying that area by two. The ``projected image'' is that image created by tracing the largest possible two-dimensional outline of the sign. |
| § 8.06.03. Number of signs |
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A. Generally. In general, the number of signs shall be the number of noncontiguous sign faces. Multiple noncontiguous sign faces may be counted as a single sign if all the sign faces are included in the geometric figure used for determining the sign area. B. Special situations. 1. Where two sign faces are placed back to back and are at no point more than three feet apart, it shall be counted as one sign. 2. If a sign has four faces arranged in a square, rectangle or diamond, it shall be counted as two signs. |
| § 8.06.04. Sign height |
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The height of a sign shall be measured as the vertical distance from the finished grade at the base of the supporting structure to the top of the sign, or its frame or supporting structure, whichever is higher. |
| Appendix 8.07.00. Design, Construction And Location Standards |
| § 8.07.01. Generally |
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All permanent signs must comply with the following design, construction and location standards. |
| § 8.07.02. Compliance with building and electrical codes required |
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All permanent signs, and the illumination thereof, shall be designed, constructed and maintained in conformity with applicable provisions of the building code and electrical codes adopted by the city and the National Electrical Safety Code. |
| § 8.07.03. Illumination standards |
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A. Sign lighting may not be designed or located to cause confusion with traffic lights. B. Illumination by floodlights or spotlights is permissible so long as none of the light emitted shines directly onto an adjoining property or into the eyes of motorists or pedestrians using or entering public streets. C. Illuminated signs shall not have lighting mechanisms that project more than 18 inches perpendicularly from any surface of the sign over public space. |
| § 8.07.04. Placement standards |
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A. Near street and driveway intersections. Signs located within a clear visibility triangle shall conform to the requirements at section 6.01.03(C) of this code. B. In right-of-way. Supports for sign or sign structures shall not be placed in or upon a public right-of-way of public easement, except under the terms of a lease between the owner of the easement or right of way and the owner of the sign. C. Over right-of-way. No ground sign shall project over a public right-of-way. D. Blocking exits, fire escapes, etc. No sign or sign structure shall be erected that impedes use of any fire escape, emergency exit or standpipe. |
| § 8.07.05. Clearance standards |
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A. Over pedestrian ways. All signs over pedestrian ways shall provide a minimum of nine feet of clearance. B. Over vehicular ways. All signs over vehicular ways shall provide a minimum of 13 feet six inches of clearance. |
| § 8.07.06. Relationship to building features |
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A building sign shall not extend beyond any edge of the surface to which it is attached, nor disrupt a major architectural feature of the building. |
| § 8.07.07. Maximum projection |
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A building sign may project no more than four feet perpendicularly from the surface to which it is attached. |
| § 8.07.08. Maximum window coverage |
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The combined area of permanent and temporary signs placed on or behind windows shall not exceed 25 percent of the total window area at the same floor level on the side of the building or unit upon which the signs are displayed. |
| Appendix 8.08.00. Nonconforming Signs |
| § 8.08.01. Generally. |
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If the city through its building officials determines that a sign has been erected or constructed which fails to conform to the provisions of the Code or in violation of this code, the owner thereof or the person or entity responsible for its construction or installation shall be notified in writing of the violation on the nonconforming sign and shall be given a period of 15 days to correct said violation on the nonconforming sign, and if the owner or responsible party fails to do so within the 15-day period then enforcement procedures shall be initiated pursuant to section 10.14.00[sic] of this code. In addition to the remedies set forth in section 10.14.00[sic] the city may remove the nonconforming sign, or signs installed in violation of this code, and the cost of said removal shall be taxed against the violating party. |