HomeMy WebLinkAbout#3 - Sign Code
Memo
To: Planning Commission
From: John Hinzman, Planning Director
Date: September 14, 2009
SubjectSign Ordinance Discussion
:
REQUEST
The Planning Commission is review and discuss the attached sign ordinance.
BACKGROUND
At the August 24, 2009 meeting, Commissioners discussed reviewing the existing sign
code for potential changes. Staff will review the sign code at the meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
Sign Code
§ 155.08 SIGNS.
(A) General provisions.
(1) Purpose. The purpose of these provisions is to:
(a) Establish standards that would permit businesses in the city a
reasonable and equitable opportunity to advertise;
(b) Preserve and promote civic beauty and not allow signs that would
detract from this purpose because of unusual size, shape, height, location, condition, or
illumination;
(c) Ensure that signs shall not create a safety hazard; and
(d) Preserve and protect the value of land and buildings and also preserve
and protect landscapes.
(2) Definitions. See § 155.02.
(3) Generally. The following are minimum requirements.
(a) All signs shall be erected or installed according to state building and
electrical codes. Furthermore, all electrical signs shall require underground wiring.
(b) All signs/sign structures shall be maintained in safe and orderly
condition with the areas around them kept free from debris, bushes, high grass/weeds, or
anything else that would be a nuisance.
(c) Address signs that are clearly legible from the street which access is
gained shall be required for each principal structure, except in non-sewered areas where
addresses shall be affixed and visible from both sides of the mailbox and/or a separate
structure visible from the access or street.
(d) Illuminated signs shall be designed so as not to be obtrusive to adjacent
property or to passing motorists on private or public rights-of-way.
(e) Except as otherwise regulated herein, the minimum setback from
property lines for all signs may be zero feet provided that no portion of the sign extends
into public right-of-way. At no time shall a sign be permitted to extend into a Minnesota
Department of Transportation right-of-way. Signs above 30 inches in height may not be
placed within the vision triangle, which is measured by 25 feet in either direction of an
intersection at the edge of the street, or within any easement.
(f) To provide reasonable flexibility in respect to the sign regulations set
forth in this section, the City Council may approve an application for a roof sign where
an exception would be consistent with the intent of these regulations, in cases where the
applicant demonstrates practical difficulties in using a wall sign or freestanding sign.
However, no roof sign shall exceed in size the district requirements for freestanding
signs. If the City Council approves a roof sign, the area of the roof sign may be
subtracted from the allowable freestanding and/or wall signage allowed for the property
and/or building.
(g) Portable signs are allowed in all commercial districts, except within the
Downtown Overlay District, in addition to permanent signs, only by temporary permit
issued by the Planning Department according to provisions established under division (E)
below. Portable signs may not exceed 32 square feet in size or 6 feet in height. The
length of permits for portable signs shall be either 15 or 30 days. Permits for portable
signs may be obtained for no more than 60 days per legal parcel per year. Only 1
portable sign per legal parcel may be permitted at a time. Portable signs may not be
situated within any public street right-of-way or easement. Portable sign permit fees shall
be established by resolution of City Council.
(B) Prohibited signs and sign structures.
(1) No sign shall be located within or over a public right-of-way unless
otherwise specifically permitted by this section or the City Council.
(2) No illuminated flashing or revolving signs shall be permitted except movie
theaters, time and temperature provided the signs are designed so as not to be obtrusive to
adjacent property or to passing motorists on private or public rights-of-way.
Furthermore, movie theaters with illuminated flashing or revolving signs shall use light
bulbs that are 25 watts or less and shall not be operated between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(3) No sign shall be erected or maintained in a way that obstructs, obscures, or
otherwise physically interferes with an official traffic sign, signal/device, or driver’s view
of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic.
(4) No sign shall be erected or maintained which imitates or resembles any
official traffic sign, signal, or device. Furthermore, no sign shall contain the wording
including, but not limited to, “stop,” “warning,” or “caution” which may be confused
with traffic signing or controls unless the signs are approved by the city.
(5) No sign shall be painted or placed on a fence, utility pole, tree, or other like
structure except those signs that provide public information concerning a school, city,
county, state, or federal event.
(6) No sign shall be made of paper, cardboard, or similar material and attached
directly to a building.
(7) No sign/structure shall be placed that will obstruct safe access to doors,
windows, or fire escapes.
(8) No sign shall be supported by guy wires.
(9) No sign shall be placed on a rooftop or project above the roof line when
attached to a structure except as may be permitted by the City Council under division (A)
above.
(10) Any sign not expressly permitted by the provisions of this section.
(C) Signs permitted without a permit.
(1) Traffic signs as approved by the Public Works Director;
(2) Public signs as approved by the City of Hastings;
(3) Election/campaign signs on private property provided the signs are posted
no sooner than 100 days before a city, school, county, state, or federal election and
removed within 10 days following an election. No election signs shall be affixed to
utility poles;
(4) Real estate, lease, and rental signs not more than 15 square feet for
residentially zoned property and 32 square feet for non-residentially zoned property
provided only 1 sign per street frontage upon which the property to be sold or leased
abuts;
(5) Open house signs no larger than 5 square feet that state that a particular
home, commercial, industrial, or public institutional structure will be open for public
inspection for a limited number of hours on a specific day. The signs may be placed in
the city boulevard area on the same day of the open house and only during the open
house;
(6) One temporary, on-site construction sign for a residential development
provided a final plat has been filed. The sign shall not exceed 100 square feet in size, 10
feet in height and must be located on a vacant lot or lot with a model home within the
subdivision at least 10 feet from the nearest property line. Furthermore, the sign shall be
removed when 90% of single-family or 75% of multiple-family lots are sold.
Construction trailers may be placed in close proximity to support construction of the site.
Placement and/or use of the trailers solely for advertising shall be prohibited;
(7) One temporary, on-site construction sign for a commercial, industrial, or
public institution development, provided a building permit has been issued. The sign
shall not exceed 100 square feet in size, 10 feet in height and shall be removed before any
building in the project is occupied. Where a building permit or certificate of occupancy
is not required for a construction project including, but not limited to, landscaping
projects, one on-site sign not to exceed 25 square feet in size and 10 feet in height may be
allowed up to 7 days. Construction trailers may be placed in close proximity to support
construction of the site. Placement and/or use of the trailers solely for advertising shall
be prohibited;
(8) Name plate signs displaying only the name or address of the owner not to
exceed 2 square feet;
(9) Garage/rummage sale signs on private property not to exceed 4 square feet
in size and to be removed the same day the sale ends;
(10) No trespass/no hunting and similar signs not to exceed 2 square feet in size
may be placed on private property;
(11) Temporary ribbons, banners, pennants, and similar devices are allowed in
commercial, industrial, and public institution districts. The devices shall be removed if
they become torn, discolored, or in any way damaged to modify their original
appearance. Businesses and/or property owners utilizing these temporary devices that
include advertising and/or a message shall be allowed only a total of 90 days during any
12-month period. Only 1 device shall be used at a time, and the maximum size of the
device shall be equal to or less than the monument sign standards for the district in which
the site is located, or in the case of the East 2nd Street Historic District or Downtown
Core District, equal or less than the wall sign standards;
(12) Temporary holiday signs or displays relating noncommercial messages
associated with national, state, or local holidays or festivals;
(13) One temporary seasonal farm products sales sign not to exceed 32 square
feet in size; and
(14) Flags or insignia of any government.
(D) Signs requiring a permit.
(1) Generally. Unless otherwise noted, the following regulations apply to all
zoning districts.
(a) One monument sign for each principal structure, unified development,
or legal parcel, whichever is more restrictive. Lots adjacent to more than 1 street may
have 1 sign per street frontage. In no case shall secondary signs exceed 50 square feet in
size or 6 feet in height.
(b) Wall canopy, projecting or marquee; except as otherwise noted, the
amount of signage permitted is based on the wall to which the sign will be attached. Sign
heights shall not exceed the top of the parapet wall or, if there is no parapet wall, sign
height shall not exceed height of eaves.
(c) To direct vehicular and pedestrian traffic in a safe and convenient
manner, directional signs are permitted, provided the sign does not exceed the sizes
indicated in the table in division (D)(1)(d) below. The number and location of directional
signs will be determined through sign permit review.
(d) The table below illustrates the allowed amounts of signage permitted in
the various districts.
Zoning Districts
A, R, PIC-1, O-1C-2I-1, I-2DC
Monument Maximum 5 feet 6 feet 6 feet 6 feet N/A
Height
Sign Face 50 square 50 square 50 square 50 square N/A
Sizefeetfeetfeetfeet
Cap Height 8 inches 8 inches 8 inches 8 inches N/A
(max.)
Wall Maximum Greater of 40 square feet or 5% of wall area See division
Size(D)(8)
below
ProjectingClearance N/A 8 feet 8 feet N/A 8 feet
Maximum N/A 4 feet 4 feet N/A 2.5 feet
Distance
from
Building
DirectionalsMaximum 4 feet 4 feet 4 feet 4 feet N/A
Height
Maximum - 2 square 2 square 2 square N/A
Sizefeetfeetfeet
Zoning Districts
C-3C-4
SingleMultiple Single - Single - Multiple
OccpantOccupantsunderoverOccupant
100,000100,000Building
square feetsquare feet
Monument Maximum 6 feet 10 feet 6 feet 15 feet 20 feet
Height
Sign Face 50 square 100 square 50 square 75 square 100 square
Sizefeetfeetfeetfeet feet
Cap Height 8 inches 12 inches 8 inches 18 inches 24 inches
(max.)
Wall Maximum Greater of 40 square feet or 5% of wall area
Size
Projecting Clearance 8 feet 8 feet 8 feet 8 feet 8 feet
Maximum 4 feet 4 feet 4 feet 4 feet 4 feet
Distance
from
Building
Directionals Maximum 4 feet 4 feet 4 feet 4 feet 4 feet
Height
Maximum 2 square 2 square 2 square 2 square 2 square
Sizefeetfeetfeetfeet feet
(2) A, R, and PI Districts.
(a) One monument identification sign not to exceed 50 square feet in size
or 5 feet in height for residential developments with 6 or more single-family or multiple-
family dwelling units.
(b) One monument identification sign not to exceed 50 square feet in size
or 5 feet in height for each church, public or parochial school, hospital and residential
care facility. Such sign shall be solely for the purpose of displaying the name of the
institution and its activities or services.
(c) One monument identification sign not to exceed 50 square feet in size
or 5 feet in height for any commercial or institutional use within the PI Zoning District.
Lots adjacent to more than 1 street may have 1 sign per street frontage.
(Am. Ord. 553, 2nd Series, passed 5-15-2006)
(3) C-1 and O-1 Districts.
(a) Signs as permitted per division (D)(1) above.
(b) Lots adjacent to more than 1 street may have 1 sign per street frontage.
In no case shall secondary signs exceed 50 square feet in size or 6 feet in height.
(4) C-2 District.
(a) Signs as permitted per division (D)(1) above.
(b) Lots adjacent to more than 1 street may have 1 sign per street frontage.
In no case shall secondary signs exceed 50 square feet in size or 6 feet in height.
(c) Additional monument signs permitted for automobile dealerships:
1. One monument sign not to exceed 50 square feet or 6 feet in height
for advertisement of sale of pre-owned automobiles; and
2. One monument sign not to exceed 50 square feet or 6 feet in height
for each additional new automobile product line (automobile make) sold on the premises.
(5) C-3 District.
(a) Signs as permitted per division (D)(1) above.
(b) Lots adjacent to more than 1 street may have 1 sign per street frontage.
In no case shall secondary signs exceed 50 square feet in size or 6 feet in height.
(c) Those properties located within the East 2nd Street Historic District are
subject to the regulations of division (D)(8) below.
(6) C-4 Districts.
(a) Signs as permitted per division (D)(1) above.
(b) Lots adjacent to more than 1 street may have 1 sign per street frontage.
In no case shall secondary signs exceed 50 square feet in size or 6 feet in height.
(c) For movie theatres, the primary wall sign may not exceed 10% of the
building facade on which the sign is erected. Secondary signs on the other building
facades may not exceed 5% of the building facade on which the sign is erected, or 40
square feet, whichever is greater.
(7) I-1 and I-2 Districts. Signs as permitted per division (D)(1) above.
(8) DC Downtown Core and East 2nd Street Historic District.
(a) Downtown Hastings is a remarkably intact and compact example of
commercial architecture from the 1860's to the 1920's. This historic character is
considered an important asset of Downtown and, therefore, it is the intent of the this
section that this character be preserved. To accomplish this objective, all permanent
signage within the East 2nd Street Historic District or on property zoned DC Downtown
Core shall comply with the following requirements and guidelines.
1. Wall signs not to exceed 2 square feet per linear foot of building
frontage. The size of a sign should be appropriate to the building.
2. Signs should not cover up the traditional design elements of a
building as identified in the following sketch. When feasible, signage shall be at
traditional locations, including: painted inside the windows, door pane or transom pane;
flush on the storefront cornice or lintel; letters painted or attached directly on the cornice
or lintel;
mounted
flush
between the
lintel and
second floor
windows.
3. The style, colors, lettering, and materials of the sign should reflect the
age of the building. Examples may be found in old photographs and surviving signs.
4. Contrast between a dark background and light lettering, or vice
versa, is more important than size. The lettering style should be chosen for its legibility.
5. Plastic, aluminum, and back lit signs are not usually appropriate on
older buildings because of their materials, colors, size, and style of lettering. The content
and logo of corporate and product signs can be transferred to more traditional materials
and styles of sign.
6. Signage shall be permitted on canvas or treated cloth awnings
where they are compatible with the age of the building and character of Downtown.
7. Projecting signs must conform to the following.
a. Minimum height above grade is 8 feet. Maximum height
above grade is 11 feet for the sign, and 12 feet for the bracket.
b. Sign may not project more than 2 and 1/2 feet from the face of
the building.
c. Total sign face may not exceed 6 square feet.
d. Materials must be wood and/or metal. Plastic signs are not
permitted.
e. Projecting signs may not be lit, internally or externally.
f. Plans must be submitted to show how the sign will be
anchored to the building and masonry.
g. Only 1 projecting sign permitted per business.
h. Signs must be advertising a specific business name, not a
generic product.
i. The sign area of the projecting sign comes off the total signage
allowed for the building under these requirements.
(b) All signs proposed to be constructed on properties that are designated
as Heritage Preservation Sites or are in a Historic District are subject to approval by the
Heritage Preservation Commission.
(c) Freestanding signs are prohibited in the East 2nd Street Historic
District or on properties zoned DC Downtown Core.
(E) Permit requirements.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no sign or structure shall be
erected, constructed, altered, rebuilt, or relocated until a permit has been issued by the
city.
(2) Sign applications are available from the Planning Department. The
applicant shall include sign dimensions, height, colors, construction materials, method of
anchoring, content, and location. A sketch or photograph of the proposed sign is required
and a site plan that adequately illustrates the location of the sign. In addition, the
application shall include the location and size of all other signs at the subject
property/development.
(3) Once a completed sign application is filed with the Planning Department,
staff shall review the plans and specifications for the proposed sign(s). If the proposed
sign(s) meets ordinance requirements, the building code and all other laws and
ordinances of the city, a sign permit will be approved.
(4) The required fee as established by resolution of the City Council shall be
paid to the city before issuance of a sign permit.
(F) Nonconforming and illegal signs.
(1) Any sign legally existing on the effective date of this section that does not
conform to the requirements set forth in this section shall become a nonconforming use
and/or structure. Except as otherwise provided in this section, nonconforming signs shall
be allowed to continue, but shall not be rebuilt, relocated, replaced, or altered without
being brought into compliance with all the requirements of this section. Furthermore,
nonconforming signs are subject to the provisions contained at § 155.06.
(2) Any sign that is in violation of this section shall be removed or altered to
comply with this section.
(3) Maintenance of existing signs, including the replacement of faceplates of
the same size, shall be permitted on nonconforming signs.
(4) Temporary ribbons, banners, pennants, and similar devices that are in use as
of the adoption of this section must comply with the provisions of division (C)(11) above.
(Prior Code, § 10.08) (Am. Ord. 485, passed 2-3-2003; Am. Ord. 541, passed 10-17-
2005) Penalty, see § 10.99