CHAPTER 1.27 SIGN PERMIT

Sections:
1.27.005 Purpose.
1.27.010 Permit Required.
1.27.015 Submission of Application.
1.27.020 Form and Contents of Required Documents.
1.27.025 Public Notice.
1.27.030 Review and Approval Procedures.
1.27.035 Approval Standards.
1.27.040 Permitted Signs.
1.27.045 Prohibit Signs.
1.27.050 Sign Permit Not Required.
1.27.055 Inspection and Enforcement.
1.27.060 Enforcement Notice Requirements.
1.27.065 Entitlements.
1.27.070 Appeals.

1.27.005 PURPOSE. The purpose of sign regulations set forth shall be to minimize potential hazards to motorists and pedestrians; to encourage signs which, by their design, are integrated with and harmonious to the buildings and sites which they occupy; to encourage sign legibility through the elimination of excessive and confusing sign displays; to reduce driver inattention; to safeguard and enhance property values; to preserve and improve the appearance of the City; to protect public and private investment and to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare.

1.27.010 PERMIT REQUIRED. Except as specifically exempt in this Chapter (1.27.050), a Sign Permit shall be required to erect, raise, move, place, reconstruct, extend, enlarge, alter, replace, or have the text of the sign changed.

1.27.015 SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION.

A. Only property owners or their duly authorized agents shall make application for a Sign Permit on forms approved by the Zoning Administrator.

B. No Sign Permit application shall be processed without the submission of the application, all the supporting materials as required by this Chapter, and the processing fee. Incomplete applications shall not be processed under any circumstances. The period for when an application shall be reviewed set by policy of the Zoning Administrator.

C. The application for Sign Permit approval shall include the following:

1. One (1) digital copy sized at a maximum of ledger (11″ x 17″) copy of each sheet of the Site Plan.

2. All documents required in Section 1.27.020 below.

3. Payment of the applicable fee as set by Resolution of the City Council.

D. A Sign Permit may be submitted for approval concurrently with the Building Permit. If the property owners or their duly authorized agents choose to submit the Sign Permit and Building Permit concurrently, the City maintains the right to deny the request for approval, and the property owners or their duly authorized agents shall bear all risks associated with their preparation and submittal.

1.27.020 FORM AND CONTENTS OF REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. The Sign Permit application shall be submitted with the materials listed in this Section. The Zoning Administrator may determine and require that additional items not listed herein be submitted in order to evaluate the proposed Sign Permit application.

A. Site Plans. A site plan drawn to scale, showing the proposed location of the sign, parking areas, landscaped areas and buildings. If the proposed sign will be located within one-hundred (100) feet of a property line, the parking areas, landscaped areas and buildings shall be shown for the property within one-hundred (100) feet of the proposed sign.

B. Colored Graphics. Colored graphics showing the proposed sign copy, type of sign, dimensions of sign copy and sign structure, color and materials of the sign copy and sign structure.

1.27.025 PUBLIC NOTICE. No Public Notice is required for the issuance of a Sign Permit.

1.27.030 REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES.

A. Zoning Administrator’s Review-Application. The Zoning Administrator shall review each application submitted to determine the completeness of the application.  Incomplete application shall be returned to the applicant with a list of the deficiencies.

B. Zoning Administrator Review. The Zoning Administrator shall review the proposed Sign Permit application and shall grant approval of the Sign Permit applications all of the standards and requirements of this Chapter and other applicable Sections of this Title shall be met.  The Development Review Committee may approve a sign permit as part of a Site Plan permit application. Approval of a Sign Permit shall generally be in the form of an approved application; together with the approved submitted materials shall constitute the Sign Permit. If the Zoning Administrator denies the Sign Permit Application, explicit and careful Findings of Fact shall be enumerated for the record as to why reason for the denial. Approval of a Sign Permit is an Administrative Decision.

1.27.035 APPROVAL STANDARDS.

A. In interpreting and applying the provisions of this Chapter, the sign regulations contained herein are declared the minimum standard allowable. The types of signs allowed by this Chapter shall be complete and sign types not specifically allowed, as set forth within the Chapter shall be prohibited.

1. General Regulations. All signs hereafter erected in Tremonton City shall comply with the current standards of the National Electrical Code, the International Building Code, the Zoning Ordinance of Tremonton City and all other Tremonton City Ordinances. All signs governed by the State of Utah or the United States Government shall comply with the rules they set forth.

2. Sign Location and Clearance. Signs other than Monument style or similar signs in this Chapter shall have a clearance of eight (8) feet minimum height from walking areas. Signs shall not interfere with any public or private utility company equipment. Clearance from overhead utility lines shall conform to utility provider standards. No sign shall project over a property line. Exceptions: wall signs, suspended wall signs, canopies/awnings meeting minimum height clearance and sidewalk signs that meet the sign regulations.

3. Signs in Rights-of-Way. No sign other than official traffic signs, public signs or similar signs shall be erected within one (1) foot of the property lines of any street, or within any public way, unless specifically authorized by other ordinances or regulations of Tremonton City or by specific authorization of the Zoning Administrator.

4. Traffic Visibility. No sign or sign structure shall be erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where by its position, shape or color it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.

5. Sign Interference. No sign shall be erected that shall interfere with or restrict access to windows, fire escapes, or required exits.

B. In addition to the approval criteria, Sign Permits shall be issued with the following requirements:

1. All Signs shall be maintained in Good Condition. Exposed parts of signs shall be painted or treated chemically in such a manner as to preserve the condition, aesthetics, and life of such signs; moving parts shall be maintained in operable condition; and signs designed to have lighting shall be maintained with a full complement of the lighting facilities required by the design of each such sign.

2. Removal of Conforming Signs. Any person occupying a building or portion of a building who owns or maintains a sign or sign structure in connection therewith shall, upon vacating the premises, or discontinuing the business advertised, cause the sign to be removed. Any person who owns and maintains a sign, which is maintained for the benefit of another person who occupies a building or part of a building whereon the sign is located, shall cause the sign to be removed if the person for whom the sign is maintained vacates the premises. All signs identifying a discontinued use on the property shall be removed by the sign owner from the property within thirty (30) calendar days of the time the use was discontinued. Failure to comply, by the responsible party, shall be considered a violation of this Chapter and subject to penalties noted in this Title herein.

1.27.040 PERMITTED SIGNS. Signs permitted in the various zoning districts are shown as “permitted,” and indicated by a “P” in the appropriate column. If a Sign or sign use is not permitted in a given zoning district, it is either not named in the Sign Types or it is indicated in the appropriate column by a dash, “-“.

SIGN TYPES/ZONING DISTRICTSCDCHCNCGMD/MG/MD-BRESIDENTIALPFMUSOB - 4
ON PREMISE POLE SIGN: NOTE 1PP-P--PP-
Maximum Sign Area in Square Feet:100200-200--3636-
Maximum Sign Height:36'Note 5-36'--36'36'-
Number of Signs:11-1--11-
Direct or Indirect Illumination:PP-P--PP-
MULTI-TENANT ON PREMISE POLE FREE STANDING SIGNPP-P--PP-
Maximum Sign Area in Square Feet:120240-240--4545-
Maximum Sign Area if a Gateway Sign is incorporated into the sign:130250-250--5555
Maximum Sign Height:36'Note 5-36'--36'36'-
Number of Signs:Note 7Note 7-Note 7--Note 7Note 7-
Direct or Indirect Illumination:PP-P--PP-
ON PREMISE MONUMENT SIGNSPPPPPSchools & City ParksPP-
Maximum Sign Area in Square Feet:32803280100323232-
Maximum Sign Height:6'6'6'6'10'6'8'6'-
Number of Signs:11111111-
Direct or Indirect Illumination:PPPPPPPP-
Direct or Indirect Illumination:PPPPPPPP-
WALL SIGNS/FLAT SIGNS: Areas of sign not to exceed twenty (20) percent of total wall face area in square feet.PPPPP-PPP
Number of Signs per Building of Space: Note 222222-221
Direct or Indirect Illumination:PPPPP-PPP
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE DISPLAYS: On Premise SignsPP-PPSchools & City ParksPP-
Off Premise Advertising:---------
Auto Dimming Required:YesYes-YesYesYesYesYes-
Maximum Sign Height-Pole:36'36'-36'36'36'36'36'-
Maximum Sign Height-Monument6'6'-6'8'6'6'6'-
Maximum Sign Area in Square Feet:2432-3232243224-
Number of Signs: Note 111-1--11-
MULTI-TENANT ELECTRONIC MESSAGE DISPLAYS: On Premise SignsPP-PPSchools & City ParksPP-
Off Premise Advertising:---------
Auto Dimming Required:YesYes-YesYesYesYesYes-
Maximum Sign Height-Pole:36''36'-36'36'36'36'36'-
Maximum Sign Height-Monument:6'6'-6'8'6'6'6'-
Maximum Sign Area in Square Feet:2432-3232243224-
Number of Signs: Note 1 & 711-1--11-
CANOPY/AWNING:PPPPP-PP-
Number per Building or Space:11111-11-
Maximum Sign Area: One (1) sq. ft. per linear foot or storefront.PPPPP-PP-
Minimum Setback: Sign May Extend in Feet From Face of Building & Two (2) Feet from Back of Curb.66666-66-
Direct or Indirect Illumination:PPPPP-PP-
SUSPENDED SIGNS-ON PREMISE:PPPPP-PP-
Number per Building or Space:11111-11-
Maximum Sign Area in Square Feet:1620121636-1616-
Minimum Setback: Sign may Extend in Feet from Face of Building44466-66-
Direct or Indirect Illumination:PPPPP-PP-
TEMPORARY SIGNS:PPPPPSchools & City ParksPP-
Maximum Number of Consecutive Display Days in a Ninety (90) Day Period:3030303030303030-
SIDEWALK SIGN: Displayed during Business Hours:PPPP---P-
Displayed after Business Hours:---------
Number per Business:1111---1-
Maximum Sign Area in Square Feet:8888---8-
Maximum Sign Height in Feet:4444---4-
Direct or Indirect Illuniation:---------
GATEWAY SIGNS: NOTE 8 - Standalone-P-PPPPP-
Maximum Sign Area in Square Feet:-16-1616161616-
Maximum Sign Height:-6'-6'10'6'8'6'-
Number of Signs:-1-11111-
Direct or Indirect Illumination:-P-PPPPP-

1 Note: One Sign is equal to a two (2) sided sign.

2 Note: Projecting Wall Signs shall not extend more than eighteen (18) inches outward from the wall of the building, sign copy or message on face side only. No sign shall project beyond the side edge of the building. One (1) sign of the same type and size per wall, but no more than two (2) signs per building.

3 Note: Sidewalk Signs shall be placed to not interfere with pedestrian traffic, fire hydrants, block any exits and/or entrances or outside driveways. Signs shall not be placed in the gutter or into the street. Signs shall be designed to withstand the weather and stay in place.

4 Note: Sexually Oriented Business Overlay (SOB) District signs shall contain alphanumeric copy only and the sign area shall not exceed eighteen (18) square feet. Sign copies within SOB District prohibit animated signs and description art or design depicting any activity related to or inferring to the nature of the business. Other than the signs specifically allowed in the Table above, the SOB District prohibits the attachment, construction, or allowance any temporary sign, banner, light, electronic message display, or other device designed to draw attention to the premise.

5 Note: On Premise Pole Signs: Ninety (90) feet maximum sign height west of 1650 West, and thirty-six (36) feet maximum sign height East of 1650 West in the Commercial Highway (C-H) zone.

6 Note: On Premise Temporary Signs. See Definition Chapter 1.03.

7 Note: When there is a multi-tenant development On Premise Pole Signs and On Premise Monument Signs that advertise a single business is prohibited. There may be one (1) Multi-Tenant Sign permitted for each frontage of the development of which only one (1) of these signs may be an Electronic Message Display Sign. If the development is twenty (20) acres or greater in size and a Multi-Tenant Electronic Message Display Sign is not being approved, then one (1) additional Multi-Tenant Sign may be approved for one of the frontages. Development that has more then one (1) Multi-Tenant Sign shall be constructed with similar design, color and materials.

Regardless of if a tenant has sign copy on the Multi-Tenant Sign, a tenant in a multi-tenant development is also permitted to have one (1) of the following signs: Wall Signs/Flat Signs or Canopy/Awning. Additionally, tenant that is a part of a multi-tenant development may have an On Premise Temporary Signs or Sidewalk Sign so long as these signs are not placed on Main Street.

8 Note: Gateway signs may include the logo of the subdivision or development but otherwise shall not contain any advertising message unless the sign is incorporated into a Multi-Tenant On Premise Pole Sign or Multi-Tenant On Premise Monument Signs.

1.27.045 PROHIBITED SIGNS. The following signs shall not be permitted or maintained within Tremonton City unless otherwise indicated within this Chapter:

A. Roof Signs. See definition Chapter 1.03;

B. Signs on public property, within the park strips, or clear vision areas of intersections, unless otherwise permitted in this Chapter;

C. Signs that distract such as those that imitate traffic signs by using words like ″stop,″ ″yield,″ or ″danger,″ etc;

D. Portable signs for permanent use;

E. Signs with sound-emitting devices;

F. Billboards/Off Premise Signs. See definition Chapter 1.03;

G. Other Off Premise Signs, including banners, flyers or any other signage or any business advertisement or otherwise that is not on the premise of the business where the sign is located;

H. Rotating Signs. See definition Chapter 1.03;

I. Flashing/Animated Signs. See definition Chapter 1.03;

J. Snipe/Bandit Signs. See definition Chapter 1.03; and

K. Marquee Signs. See definition Chapter 1.03.

1.27.050 SIGN PERMIT NOT REQUIRED. The following signs shall be permitted in all zoning districts, and all applicable provisions of this Chapter shall apply, except that a sign permit and fee shall not be required.

A. Public Signs. Signs required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by law, statute or ordinance; may be of any type, number, area height, location or illumination authorized by law. Such signs include safety signs, danger signs, traffic signs, City gateway signs, and signs announcing civic information by Tremonton City.

B. Private Traffic Directional Signs. Signs guiding or directing vehicular or pedestrian traffic onto, off of, or within a premise when such do not exceed four (4) square feet per sign in area and if pole sign do not exceed six (6) feet in height, do not contain any advertising or trade name identification and are not illuminated.

C. Name Plates. Shall be allowed in all zoning districts without the necessity of obtaining a sign permit if the sign area does not exceed forty-eight (48) square inches, and contains occupant name and address only. No Business identification is allowed in residential zones.

D. Real Estate Signs – Residential, Less than Five (5) Building Lots. Temporary non-illuminated on-premise real estate signs, which do not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area and six (6) feet in height if pole sign. Such signs shall not remain in place more than seven (7) days after sale or rental of the subject property and shall be located solely on private property. Subdivisions with five (5) or more building lots and large developments may place one (1) sign on the premises of the development with a sign face not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet.

E. Real Estate Signs – Industrial, Agricultural, and Commercial. Temporary non-illuminated on-premise real estate signs, which do not exceed sixty-four (64) square feet in area and fifteen (15) feet in height if pole sign. Such signs shall not remain in place more than seven (7) days after sale or rental of the subject property and shall be located solely on private property.

F. Informative Signs. Signs commonly associated with, and limited to information and directions related to the permitted use on the lot on which the sign is located, provided that each sign does not exceed three-hundred (300) square inches in area. (This category shall be interpreted to include such signs as “no smoking, rest room, no solicitors, self-service, vacancy, caution, open and closed” and similar information signs). Open signs may be flashing.

G. Window Signs. Non-illuminated and internally illuminated window signs when the total area of such signs does not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the total window area in the same vertical plane at the ground level on the side of the building upon which signs are displayed, and does not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the total allowable sign area for the premises in the specified district. Temporary posters announcing or advertising events shall be exempted from limitations on window signs.

H. Residential Signs. Unless otherwise noted in this Chapter, no signs of any kind shall be allowed in any residential zone.

I. Flags. Flags bearing the official design of a nation, state, municipality, educational institutions, etc.

J. Tremonton City Gateway Signs. Gateway signs that introduces or welcomes visitors to the incorporated limits of Tremonton City. Said signs may bear the City logos and be any sign type.

K. Community Signs.

1. Community Event Signs. Signs advertising public entertainment or an event of public interest shall adhere to the following:

a. Number or Signs. Shall be limited to one (1) sign at two (2) locations. Locations to be determined by the Zoning Administrator;

b. Traffic Visibility. No sign or sign structure shall be erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where by its position, shape or color it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device;

c. No sign shall be attached to or supported by any traffic sign, signal or device;

d. Display Period. Signs may be displayed two (2) times in a calendar year for a maximum of fourteen (14) days prior to an event and must be removed within forty-eight (48) hours following an event;

e. Size. Signs shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet of surface area and no greater than four (4) feet in total height; and

f. Illumination. Illumination of temporary signs is not permitted.

2. Community Program Signs. Reserved.

L. Sponsored Recreation Advertising. Non-illuminated banners erected at City parks and approved by the City Recreation Director.

M. Temporary Signs. Temporary signs may not cover permanent signs unless the business has changed hands or changed names.  No off-premise temporary signs are allowed except those mentioned in this Ordinance.  Temporary signs for political campaigns may be erected per Section 1.27.040 and may remain a maximum of seven (7) additional days after an election date.  Signs shall be located in accordance 10 1.27.035 and 1.27.040.

N. Apartment House Identification Signs. Apartment houses of five (5) or more dwelling units may erect one (1) sign on the premises to identify only the name of the apartment complex and to indicate vacancy. Said wall sign or monument sign shall not exceed an area of thirty-two (32) square feet.

1.27.055 INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT. The Zoning Administrator, Code Enforcement Officer, or designee is hereby vested with the duty of enforcing the sign regulations of this Chapter and in the performance of such duty is empowered and directed to:

A. Inspect and ascertain that all signs, construction of, or maintenance of any sign is in conformance with this Chapter;

B. Issue a notice of violation to the person having charge, control or benefit of any sign found to be in violation of this Chapter;

C. Institute any appropriate action or proceedings where any sign is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted, or maintained, or where any sign is used in violation of this Chapter and other applicable Ordinances to accomplish the following purposes: to prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance or use, and to restrain, correct or abate such violation;

D. Abate and remove any unsafe or dangerous sign which is not repaired or made safe immediately or at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator or designee may elect to abate or remove within five (5) working days after giving appropriate notice to the person having charge, control, or benefit of any such sign;

         E. Abate and remove any illegal sign other than unsafe or dangerous signs which is not made conforming within sixty (60) days after giving appropriate notice to the person having charge, control, or benefit of any such sign;

F. Abate and remove immediately any Snipe/Bandit Sign; and

G. Abate and remove any non-maintained or abandoned sign which is not repaired or put into use within sixty (60) days after giving appropriate notice to the person having charge, control, or benefit of any such sign. In the event that a sign is removed by the City, the person having charge, control, or benefit of such sign shall pay to Tremonton City the costs incurred in such removal within sixty (60) days after written notice is mailed to such person. Upon failure to pay the costs incurred in abating and removing an unsafe, dangerous, illegal, non-maintained or abandoned sign (use for which the sign is advertising has been abandon), Tremonton City may, by action of its City Council place a lien against property owned by the person having charge, control or benefit of such sign to assure compliance with this provision.

H. All employees of the City are authorized to, upon becoming aware of a violation of this sign ordinance, remove illegal signs.  Such signs shall be kept by the City for 14 calendar days, after which they may be disposed of, or if they are picked up by the sign owner, shall be relinquished back.

1.27.060 ENFORCEMENT NOTICE REQUIREMENTS. The Zoning Administrator or designee shall provide written notice sent by registered mail or delivered in person to persons having charge, or control, or benefit of any sign found by the Zoning Administrator or designee to be unsafe, dangerous, non-maintained, illegal, or abandon. Any such notice shall state the exact nature of the violation, the exact time and date by which the non-complying condition or use shall be remedied, and the appeals procedure by which the person having charge, control, or benefit of such sign may appeal the decision of the Zoning Administrator or designee.

1.27.065 ENTITLEMENTS.

A. Validity. The approval of a Sign Permit shall authorize the location and type of a sign and sign copy in accordance with any conditions of the permit except as follows:

1. Permit Issued in Conflict. In accordance with 1.01.020 any Sign Permit approved which is in conflict with this Title shall be invalid.

2. Revocation. Sign Permit may be revoked if: terms of the permit are violated or if the sign is not maintained or use for which the sign copy advertises is abandon (See Chapter 1.01 regarding Abandonment).

3. Expiration. A Sign Permit shall expire one (1) year after the date of the approval and shall be invalid unless the property owner or their duly authorized agent has obtained a Building Permit or Business Licenses or other permits or license required. A one (1) year extension may be granted if the application for extension and the filing fee is received by the Zoning Administrator prior to the expiration date as is set out above.

B. Additional Permits. Property owners or their duly authorized agents are entitled to make application for a Building Permit or Business Licenses or other permits or license required for the operation once a Sign Permit has been approved. As noted in this Chapter, the property owners or their duly authorized agents may choose to submit the Sign Permit and Building Permit concurrently.

1.27.070 APPEALS.

A. Sign Permit. Any person aggrieved by the decision of any part of the Zoning Administrator, Code Enforcement Officer, or designee for Sign Permit approval process or the enforcement of this         Chapter, may appeal in accordance with Chapter 1.04.

B. The Appeal Authority and deadline for filing an appeal of a Sign Permit shall be as follows:

              1. First Appeal. Person has ten (10) days to appeal the decision of the Zoning Administrator, Code Enforcement Officer, or designee to the Planning Commission.

2. Second Appeal. Person has thirty (30) days to appeal the decision of the Planning Commission to District Court. (See Utah Code 10-9a-801).

ORD 21-06