HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter 10 SIGNSCity of Rexburg Development Code: SIGNS
CHAPTER 10: SIGNS IN REXBURG
SECTION I.
Originated from Ordinance 908 (December 03, 2003); Repealed by Ordinance 1027 which
was repealed by Ordinance 1115 (Chapter 10 - Development Code).
SECTION II.
The purpose and objectives of this ordinance are:
a. To recognize signs are a necessary means of visual communication for the public’s convenience, and
businesses and individuals have the right to identify themselves and convey messages by using signs, and
that signs are accessory and incidental to the use of the premises where they are located; and
b. To provide a reasonable balance between the right of an individual or a business to identify itself and to
convey its message, and the right of the public to be protected against the visual discord resulting from the
unrestricted proliferation of signs; and
c. To insure signs are compatible with adjacent land uses and with the total visual environment of the
community, and the value of nearby property and economic health of the community, as a whole are
protected; and
d. To provide minimum standards for regulating the size, height, structural materials/requirements and the
duration of all signs, including temporary signs and displays on the outsides of buildings visible from the
public rights-of-way; and
e. To enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign regulations; by regulating the location,
construction, duration, number and maintenance of signs in order to enhance the aesthetic environment; and
by promoting public safety, health and general welfare, and providing for the greater good of the
community.
SECTION III.
All externally located signs visible from the public right-of-way must be located and
constructed in accordance with the following parameters with respect to the location of signs out of the public right-
of-way, the maximum height of the signs, area of signs, clearance required for signs, allowed location of signs,
allowed sign illumination, exemptions allowed by a Conditional Use Permit, types of a signs, sign permit fees, and
sign permit requirements.
a. Clear View of Intersecting Streets
: No sign may be placed or constructed so that any portion thereof is
placed or projects into any public right-of-way. For the purpose of ensuring reasonable visibility and safety
this ordinance shall prohibit the placement of signs within the sight triangle. The sight triangle applies to
corner lots on intersecting City streets. The sight triangle is defined as follows: The triangle of land formed
on any corner lot by drawing two (2) lines, starting at the same afore mentioned corner point heading away
from each other along the lot lines, right-of-way lines, or prescribed right-of-way lines (whichever is
applicable), a distance of thirty (30) feet and then connected by a diagonal line along the endpoints of the
two (2) drawn lines forming a triangle.
b. The maximum height:
Unless further restricted in this Sign Code, the maximum height of any free
standing sign not located in the US 20 Interchange Boundaries (see figures 1,2&3 below) shall be twenty-
four (24) feet from ground level to the top of the sign. On lots where a 24-foot free standing sign is
allowed and the building height is greater than 24 feet, the maximum height of a free standing sign may be
reviewed under a Conditional Use Permit for a taller free standing sign not to exceed the building height.
Free standing signs located in the US 20 Interchange boundaries (identified in figures 1,2 &3) shall have a
maximum height of forty (40) feet from ground level to top of the sign. Each parcel located in the
interchange boundary is allowed one (1) pole with sign(s) that is forty (40) feet from grade (see definition
in Chapter 2). The Interchange sign boundary is defined by a fifteen hundred (1500) foot radius drawn
Page 232 of 352
City of Rexburg Development Code: SIGNS
from the center of the highway interchange.
FIGURE 1
Page 233 of 352
City of Rexburg Development Code: SIGNS
FIGURE 2
Page 234 of 352
City of Rexburg Development Code: SIGNS
FIGURE 3
c. Definitions: Schedule “A”
Various types of signs and definitions relating to signs are attached as hereto
and incorporated as a part of this Ordinance. This Schedule is not intended to be all-inclusive, but is
for definition purposes in assisting in the understanding and compliance with the intent of this Ordinance.
d. Use and Placement:Schedule “B” including (3 spread sheets showing the separate Zones)
attached
hereto, and by reference made a part hereof, is intended to set forth various types of signs, and the
respective zones in which such signs shall be allowed.
e. Permits and Fees
i. Permits Required. Except as otherwise provided in this Code, it shall be unlawful for any person to
erect, construct, enlarge, move or convert any sign in this City, or cause the same to be done, without
first obtaining a sign permit. A permit shall not be required for a change of copy of any sign, nor for
the repainting, cleaning or other normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a
permit has previously been issued in accordance with this Code, provided that the sign or sign structure
is not altered in any way.
Page 235 of 352
City of Rexburg Development Code: SIGNS
ii. Permission to Install. No person shall erect, construct or maintain any sign upon any property or
building without the consent of the owner or authorized representative of the owner.
iii. Sign Not Regulated by the Code. An application for any sign or advertising display or structure for
which no specific regulation in this Ordinance is applicable shall be considered by the Planning and
Zoning Commission under the Conditional Use Permit procedure as outlined in the Planning and
Zoning Ordinance, and such application shall be approved or denied in harmony with the intent of
these regulations.
iv. Permit Fee. An application fee shall be paid in accordance with the current fee schedule maintained
by the City Clerk, as approved by the City Council.
SECTION IV.
There shall hereafter be kept on file, in the offices of the City Clerk and the Building
Department, three (3) copies of this sign code, duly certified by the Clerk, for use and examination by the
public.
SECTION V.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this Ordinance shall be guilty of
a misdemeanor, and be subject to the following civil penalties or remedies:
a. If a sign is placed in or projects into any public right-of-way, or has been deemed unsafe by the building
department and/or city engineer it may be immediately removed by the City at the owner’s, sign company’s
and/or responsible person’s expense.
b. If in violation of some other provision of this Ordinance, the City may cause a
written notice to be given requiring that the violation be corrected within (14) days and if the owner, sign
company and/or responsible person for the violation fails to comply, then the violator(s) shall be liable for
civil penalties of up to $300. The City shall have the right to remove the sign at the violator’s expense in
addition to the aforementioned penalties for each day of violation.
c. The City may seek injunctive relief through the courts for enforcement of the provisions of this Ordinance
and in addition to the relief sought shall also be entitled to its attorney’s fees and costs.
SECTION VI.
The sections of this Ordinance are severable and the invalidity of a section shall not affect
the validity of the remaining sections, which should be construed as closely as possible with the overall
purpose and intent of this Ordinance in the event any portion hereof is deemed to be invalid.
SECTION VII.
This Ordinance shall become effective upon its passage, approval and publication in the
manner provided by law.
SCHEDULE “A”
DEFINITIONS
ANIMATED SIGN:
A sign, any visible part of which moves, flashes, or changes color, regardless of the source of energy which causes
the movement, flash, or, change of color.
ARCHITECTURAL BLADE:
A roof sign or projecting sign with no legs or braces which is an integral part of the building structure, rather than an
object added to or standing on the building.
Page 236 of 352
City of Rexburg Development Code: SIGNS
AWNING:
A projecting cover extending over a door, window or wall section with supports attached to the building and used as
cover, protection, or as decoration.
BACKGROUND AREA:
The area comprising the message portion of a sign, not including the supporting structure, shall constitute the
Background area. When computing the area of sign background, any single piece flat sign shall be calculated by
measuring one side even though both sides may be used for advertising. (For example a 4’x 8’ flat sign will be
considered a 32 square feet background area.) For V shaped signs, or any other three dimensional sign shall have
the area of sign background calculated by considering all sides of the sign facing the primary public right-of-way.
This is irrespective of whether the back sides of the signs are used for advertising.
a. On pole signs the supporting structure does not count as part of the area of the sign. The area calculated in
the wind loads calculation for the pole sign is for all intents and purposes, the background area of the sign.
b. On wall signs the background area of the sign is calculated by the following methods depending on which
is most reasonably applicable as determined by the city.
i. If only letters are being put on the wall then the area is computed by drawing rectangles around each
letter to enclose the extremities of the letter, and then calculating the area enclosed within the
rectangles.
ii. If a cabinet or flat panel with letters is being put on the wall, then the area is the area of the extremities
of the flat panel or cabinet like structure.
iii. If an area is painted out in a different shade or color on a wall (not matching the general background
of the rest of the building) for advertising with lettering or graphics, then the extremities of the entire
painted out area will count as advertising area.
BANNER:
Any non-rigid material
BILLBOARD:
See definition for Off Premise Signs.
BLANKETING
:
The partial or complete shutting off of the face of one sign by another sign.
BUILDING FACE OR WALL:
All windows and wall area of a building on one elevation.
CANOPY SIGN OR MARQUEE SIGN:
A sign which is attached parallel to the faces of a canopy or marquee.
CHANGEABLE COPY PANEL (READER BOARD):
A sign display which is characterized by copy or illustration which may be modified at periodic intervals, regardless
of the method.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN:
Any sign which warns people of construction or demolition for a project or which describes the project, builder,
architect or others involved in the project.
Page 237 of 352
City of Rexburg Development Code: SIGNS
COPY:
Any combination of letters or numbers that are intended to inform, direct or otherwise transmit information.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN:
Any sign which serves to designate the location or direction of any place or area.
a. If logos are put on the directional signs they are calculated in the area of the directional sign. In addition,
the logos must be less area than the directional information to be considered a directional sign.
FREE STANDING, DETACHED OR GROUND SIGNS:
A sign, which is wholly supported by columns or other vertical supports in or upon the ground (not part of building
structure)
FRONTAGE:
Distance measured along the property line which fronts upon a street or alley. To constitute frontage, the street or
alley must provide access to abutting properties.
HEIGHT OF SIGN:
The distance measured vertically from the finished elevation of the ground where the sign is placed to the highest
point of the sign or sign structure, whichever is higher.
ILLUMINATED SIGN:
A sign which uses a source of light for illumination.
LIGHTED, DIRECT:
Lighting, the source of which is visible to a viewer.
LIGHTING, FLOOD LIT:
Lighting, which is reflected from the surface of a sign or building.
LIGHTING, INDIRECT OR INTERNAL:
Lighting for which the source of light is located in such a manner that the light must travel through a translucent
material other than the bulb or tube necessary to enclose the light source, which material has the effect of dispersing
the light before it strikes the eye of the viewer.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN:
Any sign used for the purpose of displaying, advertising, identifying or directing attention
to a business, service, activity or place including products, or services sold or offered for sale on premise other than
on the premises where such sign is displayed. (See schedule B for regulations)
PORTABLE SIGN:
A sign that is not affixed to the ground or another structure.
PROJECTING SIGN:
A sign that projects from, and is supported by a wall of a building or other structure.
a. If a sign is connected to wall it counts as part of wall signage
b. If a sign is connected to pole it counts as part of free standing signage
PUBLIC SERVICE INFROMATION SIGN:
A sign which provides general public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather, directional
information and messages of interest to the traveling public, and which are commonly used to augment business
identification signs.
Page 238 of 352
City of Rexburg Development Code: SIGNS
REAL, ESTATE OR PROPERTY FOR SALE, RENT OR LEASE SIGN:
Any sign pertaining to the sale, lease or rental of land or buildings.
SUPER GRAPHICS:
Any abstract mosaic, mural or painting or graphic art technique or any combination thereof.
SWINGING SIGN:
A sign which is installed on an arm or spar, and which is not permanently fastened to an adjacent wall or upright
pole.
TEMPORARY SIGN:
A sign which is intended to be displayed for no more than thirty (30) days consecutively, and is not permanently
affixed. All devices such as search lights, twirling or sandwich type signs, sidewalk or curb signs and balloons or
other air or gas filled figures are allowed, but may not be used more than sixty (60) days in total during any calendar
year. Temporary signs are only intended for and therefore allowed in non-residential zones.
a. Unless otherwise regulated in this code (such as construction sign or real estate or property for sale, rent
or lease sign) temporary signs must be reviewed by the planning and zoning administrator or designee for
approval before being put up.
b. Temporary signs must be recorded and logged in at the city with the approval of the planning and zoning
administrator or designee.
c. In general, temporary signs are reserved for limited activities important to the citizens of the City of
Rexburg. Signs shall be located outside of the City right-of-way, be 32 sq. ft. or less, and in good taste for
the surrounding environment, and must be maintained in good condition as to color, material integrity
(fraying, tearing, etc.), and structural alignment.
d. Examples of uses of temporary signs are for big events such as the International Dance Festival, Rexburg
Rush, close out sales, going out of business sales, or other events held at limited allotted times of year.
e. Signs located within the City right-of-way and authorized by the City are exempt from these regulations.
UNDER CANOPY OR MARQUEE SIGN:
A sign suspended below the ceiling or roof of a canopy or marquee.
WALL SIGNS:
A sign placed on the wall of a building as defined in the Rexburg City Planning and Zoning Ordinance.
a. For flat plane building structures the wall area can only be calculated by walls parallel and seen from one
standard orthographic elevation view. No other walls can be added to this area in calculating the area of a
sign allowed for that wall.
b. For dome or curved structures the wall signs cannot exceed the prescribed area of the curved or dome like
structure as seen from a standard orthographic elevation view.
Page 239 of 352
City of Rexburg Development Code: SIGNS
SCHEDULE “B”
CBD, RBC, CBC, PO (not overlay), TOZ, LI, HI, and AP
SECTION I:
FREE STANDING, ON PREMISE SIGNS (BASIC SIGN SIZES & SIGN SIZE
LOCATION FORMULAS)
a. Maximum sign size = 200 sq. ft.
Maximum sign height to top of sign = 24ft. (or building height
(with conditional use permit).
b. An 80 sq. ft. sign
allowed for any single property up to 50,000 sq. ft. in lot size.
c. For properties larger than 50,000 sq. ft. in area
, total allowable sign area (sq. ft.) would be
increased by 0.0016 sq. ft. of sign for each sq. ft. of property in excess of 50,000 sq. ft.
EXAMPLE 1:
Lot Area = 125,386 sq. ft.
First 50,000 sq. ft. ------------------------------------------ 80 sq. ft. of signage
Next 75,386 sq. ft. x 0.0016 sq. ft. sign/ sq. ft. prop. --121 sq. ft. of signage
Total allowable Sign Area------201 sq. ft.
This would allow one 200 sq. ft. sign OR one 100 sq. ft. sign + one 101 sq. ft. sign or some other
similar combination of signs whose total area would not exceed 201 sq. ft.
EXAMPLE 2:
Lot area = 245,678 sq. ft.
First 50,000 sq. ft. --------------------------------------------- 80 sq. ft. of signage
Next 195, 678 sq. ft. x 0.0016 sq. ft. sign/ sq.ft. prop. -- 313 sq. ft. of signage.
Total allowable Sign Area ------------------------- 393 sq. ft.
This would allow one 200 sq. ft. sign, a 100 sq. ft. sign and a 93 sq. ft. sign or
any other similar combination of sign sizes whose total area would not exceed 393 sq. ft.
EXAMPLE 3:
Lot area = 845,979 sq. ft.
First 50,000 sq. ft. --------------------------------------------- 80 sq. ft. of signage
Next 795,979 sq. ft. x 0.0016 sq. ft. sign/ sq.ft. prop. —1,274 sq. ft. of signage
Total allowable Signage-------------------- 1,354 sq. ft.
This would allow for six 200 sq. ft. signs and one 154 sq. ft. sign.
d. Clear distance between signs:
Area of Sign 1 + Area of Sign 2 must be equal to or less than 2.0
Distance between Sign 1 & sign 2
EXAMPLE:
200 sq. ft. (Area Sign 1) + 200 sq. ft. (Area Sign 2) = 2.0
200 ft. (Distance between Sign 1 & Sign 2 (permissible)
Page 240 of 352
City of Rexburg Development Code: SIGNS
Therefore 2 signs, each having the maximum size of 200 sq. ft. each, would have to be 200 ft.
apart or greater.
EXAMPLE:
200 sq. ft. (Area Sign 1) + 100 sq. ft. (Area Sign 2) = 1.94
155 ft. (Clear distance between Sign 1 & Sign 2
1.94 is permissible
To find minimum distance between signs divide by 2.0
EXAMPLE:
200 sq. ft. (Area Sign 1) + 100 (Area of Sign 2) = 150 ft.
2.0
Clear distance between signs need to be 150 ft. or greater
EXAMPLE:
150 sq. ft. (Area of Sign 1) + 125 (Area of Sign 2) = 2.523
109 ft. (Clear distance between Sign 1 & Sign 2)
2.523 is not permissible therefore 109 ft. is too small. To find the minimum clear distance
you would have to do the following:
(150 sq. ft. + 125 sq. ft.) = 137.5 ft.
2.0
therefore 137.5 ft. or greater is permissible
EXAMPLE:
80 sq. ft. (Area of Sign 1) + 80 sq. ft. (Area of Sign 2) = 1.88
85 ft. (Clear distance between Sign 1 & Sign 2)
1.88 is permissible
e. Distance from property lines
. Sign Area =
10
Distance from sign to nearest adjacent property line.
(Not street right-of-way (ROW) line.)
EXAMPLE:
200 sq. ft. (Sign Area) = 20 ft.
10
20 ft. = distance from sign to nearest adjacent property line
EXAMPLE:
80 sq. ft. (Sign Area) = 8 ft.
10
8 ft. = distance from sign to nearest adjacent property line
The distance between the aforementioned sign examples would require the signs to be:
200 sq. ft. + 80 sq. ft. = 140 ft. apart. Factor of 2 or less
2
f. Any banners on property
other than wall banners must meet and are included as part of
freestanding sign area unless considered temporary and approved by the Rexburg City Building
Department.
Page 241 of 352
City of Rexburg Development Code: SIGNS
ALLOWABLE SIGN AREAS FOR WALL SIGNS
SECTION II:
(INCLUDING PROTRUDING SIGNS & ROOF SIGNS)
Maximum Area of Wall Sign Allowed = 10%
a. of the area of the building wall for walls located within 0
ft. to 100 ft. from the street ROW (right-of-way) line.
b. Maximum Area of Wall Sign Allowed = 12%
of the area of the building wall for walls located within
100 ft. to 200 ft. from the street ROW (right-of-way) line.
c. Maximum Area of Wall Sign Allowed = 14%
of the area of the building wall for walls located more than
200 ft. from the street ROW (right-of-way) line.
Wall banners up for 60 days or less are considered temporary; all others are considered
ii.
permanent as shall adhere to applicable sign standards.
These banners must be logged and
recorded with the City of Rexburg to assure time and condition limitations are being followed. These
banners may be up with permanent wall signs as long as the coverage does not exceed 20% of wall.
This 20% coverage is the total of the permanent and temporary signs combined. Any banners up for
more than sixty (60) consecutive days are considered permanent and must adhere to permanent sign
standards. These banners will be covered as aforementioned in maximum area (depending on distance
from right-of-way (ROW) of wall signs and must have a sign permit. A business wishing to have an
area for wall mounted banner signs that allow interchangeability of promotional signs may do so by
providing a tasteful, permanent looking frame that does not include strings or other temporary looking
devices. These “permanent” banner sign locations shall be counted towards maximum wall sign
allotment, and does not include the wall banner 20% provision. All framed banners shall be sized
appropriately for the frames so that there shall be no gaps between sign and frame edging and so that
the banner does not overhang the frame in any way.
ALLOWABLE “SIGN SIZE” and “SIGN PERMIT CONDITIONS” BY ZONE
SECTION III:
Construction Signswithin thirty day
a. are defined as temporary and they must be removed s of project
completion.
b. Applications are through the Building Department (BD).
Zones: CBC, RBC, CBD, PO (not overlay), TOZ, LI, HI, and AP
c.
Type Sign Max Location Lighting Restrictions (BD)
Area Height From Style or
(Sq. Ft) Property (CUP)
Line
Rent 32 10 5 feet None 1 per street BD
frontage
Lease 32 10 5 feet None 1 per street BD
frontage
Sale 32 10 5 feet None 1 per street BD
frontage
Construction 32 12 5 feet None 1or more BD
& With max.
Temporary 96 SQ. FT.
Directional 6 Code Code Internal Code BD
Page 242 of 352
City of Rexburg Development Code: SIGNS
Public Service 6 Code Public Internal Code CUP
ROW
Accessory Sec. II 8 ft. over Single story BD
On premise Building Less than
Wall signs 30 feet
Accessory Sec. II 6 ft. over Buildings BD
On premise Building greater than
Wall signs 30 feet
Projected Sec. II Sec. II Not in Sec. II Sec. II Public
Signs Public ROW
ROW w/CUP
Blade
Signs
Allowed
Marquee Sec. II No Face Indirect 1 per street CUP
& Canopy Pro- Parallel Internal frontage
jections w/sign
Under Sec. II 8 ft. Min. Code Internal 1 per BD
Marquee & Length Clearance Business
Canopy Only 75% To
Of sign Ground
Width
Non-Accessory 32 10 ft. Max. Sec. I Indirect 1 per property CUP
Off Premise Height Sec. II Internal (Wall or
Free standing Floodlit Free Standing)
or Wall
Accessory On- Sec. I 24 ft. Max Sec. I Indirect Sec. I BD or
Premise or Direct CUP
Free Standing Bldg. Height Internal
w/CUP
Portable signs Sec. I 4 ft. Max. Sec. I None Only allowed BD
(A-frame style) Not in as Temporary
Public Signs.
ROW
Zones
: TAG1, TAG2, RR1, RR2, RBD, LDR1, LDR2, LDR3
C1.
Type Sign Max Location Lighting Restrictions (BD)
Area Height From Style or
(Sq. Ft) Property (CUP)
Line
Rent 6 6 5 feet + None 1 per street BD
frontage
Lease 6 6 5 feet + None 1 per street BD
frontage
Sale 6 6 5 feet + None 1 per street BD
frontage
Page 243 of 352
City of Rexburg Development Code: SIGNS
Home Occupation 2 Limited by Must be None 1 per street BD
Wall Parallel frontage
To wall
Construction 32 8 5 feet + None 1or more BD
With max.
Total of
96 SQ. FT.
PUD, Subdivision 64 8 5 feet + Indirect 1or more CUP
Identification Internal With max.
total of
64 SQ. FT.
Directional 6 Code Public Internal Code CUP
ROW
Public Service 6 Code Public Internal Code CUP
ROW
All other signs
Prohibited
Zones
: MDR1, MDR2, HDR1, HDR2
C2.
Type Sign Max Location Lighting Restrictions (BD)
Area Height From Style or
(Sq. Ft) Property (CUP)
Line
Rent 32 10 5 feet + None 1 per street BD
frontage
Lease 32 10 5 feet + None 1 per street BD
frontage
Sale 32 10 5 feet + None 1 per street BD
frontage
Home Occupation 2 Limited by Must be None 1 per street BD
Wall Parallel frontage
To wall
Construction 32 12 5 feet + Indirect 1or more BD
Internal With max.
96 SQ. FT.
PUD, Subdivision 64 8 5 feet + Indirect 1or more CUP
Identification Internal With max.
64 SQ. FT.
Directional 6 Code Not in None Code CUP
Sight
Triangle
Public Service 6 Code Public None Code CUP
ROW
Project signs for 1 sq. ft. 12 Bldg. wall Indirect Not in set-back CUP
Identification Per 3 Facing the Internal Or higher than
Attached/detached Lineal ft. Street The eave line;
50 sq. ft. Max. Of bldg. 1 per parcel
Page 244 of 352
City of Rexburg Development Code: SIGNS
All other signs
Prohibited
Zone
: MU
C3
Type Sign Max Location Lighting Restrictions (BD)
Area Height From Style or
(Sq. Ft) Property (CUP)
Line
Rent 32 10 5 feet + None 1 per street BD
frontage
Lease 32 10 5 feet + None 1 per street BD
frontage
Sale 32 10 5 feet + None 1 per street BD
frontage
Home Occupation 2 Limited by Must be None 1 per street BD
Wall Parallel frontage
To wall
Construction & 32 12 5 feet + Indirect 1or more BD
Temporary Internal With max.
96 SQ. FT.
PUD, Subdivision 64 8 5 feet + None 1or more CUP
Identification With max.
64 SQ. FT.
Directional 6 Code Not in None Code CUP
Sight
Triangle
Public Service 6 Code Public None Code CUP
ROW
Accessory On- 1 sq. ft. Less than Bldg. wall Indirect 1 per parcel CUP
Premise, Wall, Per 3 Height of Facing the Internal
Free Standing, or Lineal ft. Wall; FS Street Flood light
Canopy Marquee Of bldg. Max. 12
50 Sq. ft. Max. Feet high
Open Lands Code Code Code Code Code BD
All other signs
Prohibited
Page 245 of 352