HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. O15-02 ORDINANCE NO. 015-02
AN ORDINANCE MOVING THE CITY OF LAUREL'S SIGN CODE FROM TITLE 15—
MISCELLANEOUS CITY REQUIREMENTS FOR HOMES,BUILDINGS AND
CONSTRUCTION TO TITLE 17—ZONING OF THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE.
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to keep the Laurel Municipal Code current by modifying and
updating titles, chapters, sections and subsections; and
WHEREAS, City Staff determined it appropriate to move the sign code to Title 17 to properly
administer and enforce the code.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED,by the Laurel City Council that the Laurel Municipal
Code is amended as follows:
Chapter 4-5740 17.44
SIGN CODE
Sections:
15.40.010 17.42.010 Adoption.
15.40.020 17.42.020 Updated references.
4-5.40.030 17.42.030 Intent.
43:40040 17.42.040 Definitions.
15.10.050 17.42.050 Signs prohibited.
15.10.060 17.42.060 Portable and banner signs.
15.10.070 17.42.070 Signs not requiring permits.
4-5:40480 17.42.080 Entryway Zoning District.
15.10.090 17.42.090 Calculation of sign area.
40.100 17.42.100 Maintenance.
15.10.110 17.42.110 Lighting.
15.40.120 17.42.120 Changeable copy.
15.40.130 17.42.130 Signs permitted (exceptions to this section are noted in the
Entryway Zoning District).
15.40.110 17.42.140 Shopping center signs (exceptions to this section are noted in
the Entryway Zoning District).
15.10.150 17.42.150 Common signage plan.
15.40.160 17.42.160 Nonconforming signs.
15.10.170 17.42.170 Construction specifications.
15.40.010 17.42.010 Adoption.
The Uniform Sign Code, 1997 Edition, published by the International Conference of
Building Officials, together with any appendix or subsequent amendments or additions
thereto, adopted or as may be adopted in the future by the City of Laurel, is 15.40.010
17.42.010 adopted by and declared to be the sign code of the City.
One full printed copy of the code shall be available in the offices of the city. The
aforesaid, Uniform Sign Code is adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter as
015-02 Move Sign Code from LMC 15.40 to LMC 17.42
fully, and for all intents and purposes, as though set forth herein at length. It shall be known
and designated as the "Uniform Sign Code" of the City. (Ord.99-10(part), 1999:Ord. 96-1I,
1996: Ord.859, 1986: prior code § 15.52.010)
15.40.020 17.42.020 Updated References.
The sign code described in Section 15.10.01017.42.010 may be amended by Resolution
or Administrative Order of the Mayor. (Ord.99-10(part), 1999: Ord.860, 1986: prior code §
15.52.020)
15.40.030 17.42.030 Intent.
This code shall not regulate official traffic or government signs; the copy and message of
signs; signs not intended to be viewed from a public fight-of-way; window displays;
product dispensers and point of purchase displays; scoreboards on athletic fields; flags of
any nation, government or fraternal organization; gravestones;barber poles; religious
symbols; or any display or construction not defined in this chapter as a sign. (Ord.02-32
(part), 2003)
15.10.010 17.42.040 Definitions.
"Animated sign" means any sign that uses movement or change or lighting to depict
action or create a special effect or scene.
"Area of sign" means the entire area of a sign including the area within a perimeter,
which forms the outside shape including the frame, forming an integral part of the display,
but excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which the sign may be placed. The
frame of a sign may be excluded from the area where such frame conveys no message and
is constructed or affixed for aesthetic reasons beyond the necessary supports.
For computing the areas of any wall or canopy sign, which consists of letters mounted or
painted on a wall or canopy, the area shall be deemed to be the area of the smallest
rectangular figure which can encompass all of the letters. (See below section calculation of
sign area.)
"Banner sign" means any sign(other than an official flag) made of cloth, paper or fabric
of any kind, which is used to attract attention, whether or not imprinted with words or
characters.
"Beacon" means any light with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere or
directed at one or more points not on the same lot as the light source; also, any light with
one or more beams that rotate or move.
"Building marker" means any sign indicating the name of a building and date and
incidental information about its construction, which sign is cut into a masonry surface or
made of bronze or other permanent material.
"Canopy sign" means any sign that is a part of or attached to any awning, canopy or other
fabric, plastic or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window or outdoor
service area, and which does not extend horizontally beyond the limits of the canopy.
"Changeable copy sign" means a sign whose informational content can be changed or
altered by manual or electric, electromechanical or electronic means. Changeable signs
include the following types:
1. Manually Activated. Signs whose alphabetic, pictographic or symbolic information
content can be changed or altered by manual means.
015-02 Move Sign Code from LMC 15.40 to LMC 17.42
2. Electrically Activated. Signs whose alphabetic, pictographic or symbolic informational
content can be changed or altered on a fixed display surface composed of electrically
illuminated or mechanically driven changeable segments. Electrically activated signs
include the following two types:
a. Fixed Message Electronic Signs. Signs whose basic informational content has been
preprogrammed to include only certain types of information projections, such as time,
temperature, predictable traffic conditions or other events subject to prior programming.
b. Computer Controlled Variable Message Electronic Signs. Signs whose informational
content can be changed or altered by means of computer-driven electronic impulses.
"Copy" means the graphic content of a sign surface in either permanent or removable
letter, pictographic, symbolic or alphabetic form.
"Directional/informational sign" means an on-premise sign giving directions, instructions
or facility information and which may contain the name or logo of an establishment but no
advertising copy, e.g., parking or exit and entrance signs. The sign may contain a logo
provided that the logo may not comprise more than twenty percent of the total sign.
"Director" means the Director of Planning of the city of Laurel
or his or her designee.
"Flag" means any fabric, banner or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns or
symbols, used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision or other entity.
"Freestanding sign" means any sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on
or anchored in the ground and that are independent from any building or other structure,
including monument signs.
"Government sign" means any temporary or permanent sign erected and maintained by
the city, county, state or federal government for traffic direction or for designation of or
direction to any school, hospital, historical site or public service, property or facility.
"Height of sign" means the vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign
to the crown of the adjacent street, not including the interstate highway.
"Lot" means any piece or parcel of land or a portion of a subdivision, the boundaries of
which have been established by some legal instrument of record,that is recognized and
intended as a unit for the purpose of transfer or ownership.
"Maintenance" means for the purposes of this code, the cleaning, painting, repair or
replacement of defective parts of a sign in a manner that does not alter the structure of the
sign
"Monument sign" means a sign mounted directly to the ground with maximum height not
to exceed ten feet.
"Nonconforming sign" means a sign, which was erected legally, but which does not
comply with subsequently enacted sign restrictions and regulations.
"On-premise sign" means a sign that advertises solely for the property on which it is
located.
"Portable sign" means any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other
permanent structure,or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs
designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted to A or T frames; menu and
sandwich board signs;balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs
attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless
said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business.
"Principal building" means a structure accommodating the principal use to which the
property is devoted. Lots with multiple principal uses may have multiple principal
015-02 Move Sign Code from LMC 15.40 to LMC 17.42
buildings, but storage buildings, garages and other clearly accessory uses shall not be
considered principal buildings.
"Projecting sign" means a sign, other than a wall sign, which is attached to and projects
from a building, wall or other structure not specifically designed to support the sign.
Supports shall be covered in a neat and orderly fashion. Guy wire support is prohibited.
"Roof sign, above-peak" means any sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the
roof of a building, supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically above the
highest portion of the roof.
"Roof sign, integral" means any sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially
integral pan of a normal roof structure of any design, such that no part of the sign extends
vertically above the highest portion of the roof and such that no part of the sign is separated
from the rest of the roof by a space of more than six inches.
"Setback" means the distance from the property line to the nearest part of the applicable
building, structure or sign, measured perpendicularly to the property line.
"Sign" means any device, fixture, placard or structure that uses any color, form, graphic,
illumination, symbol or writing to advertise, announce the purpose of, or identify the
purpose of a person or entity, or to communicate information of any kind to the public.
"Street" means a public way for vehicular traffic, whether designated as a street,
highway, thoroughfare, parkway, throughway, road, avenue, boulevard, land, place or
however otherwise designated which has been dedicated to or acquired for public use, and
which extends the full width between right-of-way lines.
"Street frontage" means the length of the property line of any one premise along each
public right-of-way it borders excluding alleys, government easement accesses, and the
interstate highway.
"Suspended sign" means a sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal place
surface and is supported by such surface.
"Temporary sign" means a nonpermanent sign erected and maintained for a specific
limited period of time.
"Wall sign" means any sign attached parallel to,painted on the wall surface, or erected
and confined within the limits of an outside wall of any building or structure, which is
supported by such wall or building, and which displays only one sign surface. Wall signs
shall not exceed twenty-two inches in depth measured from the face on the wall on which
the sign is mounted.
"Wind-driven sign" means any sign consisting of one or a series of two or more banners,
flags, pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers or other objects or material fastened in such a
manner as to move upon being subjected to pressure by wind or breeze.
"Window sign" means any sign, pictures, symbol or combination thereof; designed to
communicate information about an activity,business, commodity, event, sale or service that
is placed inside a window or upon the window panes or glass and is visible from the
exterior of the window. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003)
15.10.050 17.42.050 Signs prohibited.
All signs not expressly permitted under this section or exempt from regulation hereunder
in accordance with the following section are prohibited. Such signs include,but are not
limited to:
A. Beacons;
B. Wind-driven signs, except flags as defined in this chapter;
015-02 Move Sign Code from LMC 15.40 to LMC 17.42
C. Strings of lights not permanently mounted to a rigid background, except those exempt
under the following section;
D. Inflatable signs and tethered balloons;
E. Animated signs;
F. Above-peak roof signs;
G. Abandoned signs;
H. Snipe signs or signs attached to trees, telephone poles, public benches, streetlights, or
placed on any public property or public right-of-way;
I. Signs placed on vehicles or trailers, which are parked or located for the primary purpose
of displaying, said signs (this does not apply to signs or lettering on buses, taxis, or vehicles
operating during the normal course of business). (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003)
4-5407060 17.42.060 Portable and banner signs.
Permits required. It shall be unlawful for any owner or person entitled to possession of
any property or business, or their authorized representatives, to erect, construct, move, or
display a temporary sign or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a temporary
sign permit from the sign administrator. A temporary sign permit may be issued.
A. To new businesses or to existing businesses which are relocating and shall be limited
in use to one time for no longer than sixty days; or
B. To existing businesses for the purpose of advertising and shall be limited to a
maximum of thirty consecutive days per calendar year. Such thirty-day period may be split
into no more than two separate periods of fifteen consecutive days each. (Ord.02-32 (part),
2003) (Laurel Supp. No. 3, 12-04)
15.40.070 17.42.070 Signs not requiring permits.
The following types of signs are exempted from permit requirements but must be in
conformance with all other requirements of this section:
A. Construction signs of sixteen square feet or less;
B. Special event or holiday lights or decorations;
C. Nameplates of two square feet or less;
D. Public signs or notices, or any sign relating to an emergency;
E. Real estate signs; (see signs permitted, Section 15.40.130(B)) 17.42.130(B);
F. Political signs; (see signs permitted, Section 15.10.130(D)) 17.42.130(D);
G. Interior signs not visible from the exterior of the building;
H. Directional signs not to exceed twelve square feet in area or six feet in height.
(Ord.02-32 (part), 2003)
15.10.080 17.42.080 Entryway Zoning District.
The provisions of the entryway zoning district pertaining to signs shall apply to all signs
in that district and are in addition to the provisions of this section. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003)
4-57407090 17.42.090 Calculation of sign area.
The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together
the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are
placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time,
and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure, the sign area shall be
computed by the measurement of one of the faces. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003)
015-02 Move Sign Code from LMC 15.40 to LMC 17.42
5r✓74.100 17.42.100 Maintenance.
All signs shall be properly maintained. Exposed surfaces shall be clean and painted if
paint is required. Defective parts shall be re placed. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003)
15.10.110 17.42.110 Lighting.
Unless otherwise prohibited by this code, all signs may be illuminated provided they do
not cause or contribute to a public nuisance. Lighting restricted to the sign face. (Ord.02-32
(part), 2003)
15.10.120 17.42.120 Changeable copy.
Unless otherwise specified by this section, any sign in this chapter allowed may use
manual or fixed message electronic sign.
Computer controlled variable message electronic signs shall be permitted provided that
the bottom of the reader board is ten feet above the crown of the adjacent road. (Ord.02-32
(part), 2003)
15.40.130 17.42.130 Signs permitted (exceptions to this section are noted in the Entryway
Zoning District).
A. One non-illuminated sign for each street frontage of a construction project, not to
exceed forty-eight square feet in sign area. Such signs may be erected thirty days prior to
beginning of construction and shall be removed thirty days following completion of
construction.
B. One non-illuminated real estate sign per lot or premises not to exceed sixteen square
feet in sign area for residential properties and thirty-two square feet for commercial
properties. Such signs must be removed fifteen days following sale, rental, or lease of the
real estate involved.
C. One non-illuminated attached building nameplate per occupancy, not to exceed two
square feet in sign area.
D. Non-illuminated political signs not to exceed sixteen square feet in sign area each.
Such signs shall not be erected more than forty-five days prior to the election or referendum
concerned and shall be removed ten days following such election or referendum. Political
signs may be placed only on private property and only with the permission of the property
owner.
E. One subdivision sign per street frontage not to exceed forty-eight square feet in sign
area in each location.
F. One identification sign per entrance to an apartment or condominium complex, not to
exceed thirty-six square feet in sign area.
G. The total square footage of all signs located on the property, including, but not limited
to freestanding, wall, projecting, integrated roof, canopy, under-canopy and directional
signs, shall not exceed three square feet in sign area for each lineal foot of property
frontage. This frontage shall be calculated using local streets (not the interstate highway).
H. One on-premise, freestanding sign may be installed to a height of forty feet and may
be a maximum of three hundred fifty square feet if the principal purpose of such signs is to
address interstate traffic as determined by the director. The sign must be oriented
perpendicularly to the interstate so the sign is visible to the interstate traveler.
015-02 Move Sign Code from LMC 15.40 to LMC 17.42
I. Freestanding signs which are not on-premise and which do not address interstate traffic
as determined by the director may be installed to a maximum height of twenty-four feet and
may have a maximum size of one hundred fifty square feet. Exceptions to this are noted in
the Entryway Zoning District.
J. The setback for the leading edge of freestanding signs shall be a minimum often feet.
K. No sign may be placed or designed so as to simulate or interfere with traffic control
devices or official highway directional/informational signs.
L. Wall signs shall not exceed twenty percent of the square footage of the wall area upon
which they are installed. Electric awning and canopy signs shall not exceed twenty percent
of the square footage of the wall area upon which they are installed. The combination of
wall signs, electric awning, canopy signs and projecting signs shall not exceed twenty
percent of the allowed wall sign area.
M. Integrated roof signs may be used instead of wall signs. The integrated roof sign size
shall not exceed the allowable size for a wall sign. Integrated roof signs shall be constructed
so as to conceal all structures and fastenings. The height of the sign shall not exceed the
roof to which it is attached.
N. Projecting signs may be used instead of any wall or freestanding signs provided they
do not project beyond the property line and maintain a clearance often feet over sidewalk
and fourteen feet over any parking lot, driveway or crown of the street, whichever is higher.
Projecting sign size shall not exceed the allowable size for a wall sign.
0. One under-canopy sign for each separate occupancy or separate entrance not to exceed
eight square feet in sign area. Under-canopy signs must have a minimum clearance of nine
feet from the sidewalk.
P. Window signs shall not cover more than thirty percent of the window area.
Q. On-site directional signs as required. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003)
15.40.110 17.42.140 Shopping center signs (exceptions to this section are noted in the
Entryway Zoning District).
A. Shopping centers shall be allowed one freestanding sign directory sign per frontage.
The sign shall not exceed one hundred fifty square feet plus five percent of the one hundred
fifty square feet per tenant. Maximum sign size shall not exceed three hundred fifty square
feet.
B. Shopping centers signs shall not exceed the maximum allowable freestanding signage.
C. Shopping center signs cannot be used if the common signage plan is used. (Ord.02-32
(part), 2003)
5.^rs 40.150 17.42.150 Common signage plan.
A. If the owners of two or more contiguous or adjacent (disregarding intervening streets
and alleys) lots or the owner of a single lot with more than one building (excluding
accessory buildings) or multiple use buildings file with the director for such lot(s) a
common signage plan conforming with the provisions of this section, a twenty-five percent
increase in the maximum total sign area shall be allowed for each included lot. This bonus
shall be allocated within each lot as the owner(s) elects.
B. Provisions of Common Signage Plan.
The common signage plan shall contain all of the following information:
1. An accurate plot plan of the lot, at such scale as the director may reasonably require;
015-02 Move Sign Code from LMC 15.40 to LMC 17.42
2. Location of buildings, parking lots, driveways, clear vision triangles and landscaped
areas on such lot;
3. Computation of the maximum total sign area, the maximum area for individual signs,
the height of signs and the number of freestanding signs allowed on the lot(s) included in
the plan under this chapter;
4. An accurate indication on the plot plans of the proposed location of each present and
future sign of any type, whether requiring a permit or not;
5. Window signs may simply indicate the areas of the windows to be covered by window
signs and the general type of the window signs (e.g.,paper affixed to window, painted,
etched on glass, or some other material hung inside the window) and need not specify the
exact dimension or nature of every window sign.
The common signage plan shall also specify standards of consistency among all signs on
the lots affected by the plan with regard to:
1. Color scheme;
2. Letter or graphic style;
3. Lighting;
4. Location of each sign on the building(s);
5. Material; and
6. Sign proportions.
C. Limit on Number of Freestanding Signs Under Common Signage Plan.
The common signage plan, for all lots with multiple uses or multiple users, shall limit the
number of freestanding signs to a total of one for each street on which the lots included in
the plan have frontage and shall provide for shared or common usage of such signs. Where
street frontage exceeds five hundred feet, one additional freestanding sign may be allowed
per five hundred-foot increment.
D. Other Provisions of the Common Signage Plan. The common signage plan may
contain other restrictions as the owners of the lots may reasonably determine.
E. Consent. Common signage plan shall be signed by all owners or their authorized
agents in such form as the director shall require.
F. Procedures. Common signage plan shall be included in any development plan, site
plan, planned development or other official plan required by the city for the proposed
development and shall be processed simultaneously with such other plan.
G. Amendment. Common signage plan may be amended by filing a new common
signage plan that conforms with all requirements of the code in effect.
H. Existing Signs Not Conforming to Common Signage Plan. If any new or amended
common signage plan is filed for a property on which existing signs are located, it shall
include a schedule for bringing into conformance, within five years, all signs not
conforming to the proposed amended plan or to the requirements of this section effective on
the date of submission.
I. Binding Effect. After approval of a common signage plan, no sign shall be erected,
placed, painted or maintained, except in conformance with such plan, and such may be
enforced in the same way as any provision of this chapter. In case of any conflict between
the provisions of this section and common signage plan,the section shall control.
J. Dissolution of Common Signage Plan. If the signatories of a common signage plan
wish to dissolve the common signage plan, written notice must be submitted to the director.
All signs on the property for which the common signage plan was dissolved must bring all
015-02 Move Sign Code from LMC 15.40 to LMC 17.42
signs into conformance with this section within thirty days of the date written notice was
submitted to the director. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003)
40 17.42.160 Nonconforming signs.
A. Existing signs which do not conform to the specific provisions of this section may be
eligible for the designation "legal nonconforming"provided that:
1. The director determines such signs are properly maintained and do not in any way
endanger the public;
2. The sign was installed in conformance with a valid permit or variance or complied
with all applicable laws on the date of adoption of this section; and
3. The sign owner registers the sign with the director within six months of the adoption of
this code. If the owner fails to register the nonconforming sign with the director,the sign
then must be brought into compliance with this code within thirty days.
B. A legal nonconforming sign may lose this designation if:
1. The sign is relocated or replaced; or
2. The structure or size of this sign is altered in any way except toward compliance with
this section. This does not refer to change of copy or normal maintenance.
C. The legal nonconforming sign is subject to all requirements of this section regarding,
safety, maintenance, and repair. However, if the sign suffers more than fifty percent damage
or deterioration, as based on appraisal, it must be brought into conformance with this
section or removed.
D. Nonconforming signs located in the Entryway Zoning District must be brought into
compliance with the conditions of the Entryway Zoning District within seven years.
(Ord.02-32 (part), 2003)
15.40.170 17.42.170 Construction specifications.
A. Plans and specifications and the required review fee for all signs, including those in
the Entryway Zoning District, must be submitted to the city of Laurel building department
prior to the start of construction. The building department must grant a construction permit
prior to any construction activity.
B. All signs shall be installed in compliance with the International Building Code(IBC)
and applicable electrical codes required, permitted and enforced by the State of Montana.
C. All signs shall be inspected by the City of Laurel building department for compliance
with all applicable codes. (including, but not limited to structure, wind load, and electrical
hook-up).
D. All electrical freestanding signs must have underground electrical service to such
signs.
E. Any change in sign construction or face, excluding changeable copy as defined in this
chapter, shall require a new construction permit and fee. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003)
This ordinance shall become effective thirty(30) days after final passage by the City Council and
approved by the Mayor.
Introduced and passed on first reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on April 7
2015, by Council Member Nelson
II
015-02 Move Sign Code from LMC 15.40 to LMC 17.42
PASSED and ADOPTED by the Laurel City Council on second reading this 21st day of
April , 2015, upon motion of Council Member Poehls .
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 21st day of April , 2015.
CITY OF LAUREL
(20 .11%..
Mark A. Mace, Mayor
ATTEST:
i
Shirley Ewan, Clerk/Treasurer /J
A -
PROV D AS TO-FORM: ,f
.
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SIm S. Painter, Civil City Attor442y
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1
015-02 Move Sign Code from LMC 15.40 to LMC 17.42