A. Purpose: The purpose of this Section is to protect and promote the general welfare, health, safety, and aesthetics within the City through the establishment of comprehensive standards, regulations, and procedures governing the erection, use, and/or display of devices, signs, or symbols serving as visual communicative media to persons situated within or upon public rights of way or properties. Signs are an essential element of any community. Their location, number, size, design, and relationship to each other and to other structures have a significant influence upon a community’s appearance and welfare.
B. Intent: The provisions of this Chapter are intended to encourage creativity, a reasonable degree of freedom of choice, an opportunity for effective communication, and a sense of concern for visual amenities on the part of those designing, displaying, or otherwise utilizing needed communicative media of the types regulated by this Chapter, while at the same time assuring that the public is not endangered, annoyed, or distracted by unsafe, disorderly, indiscriminate, or unnecessary use of such communicative facilities.
C. Definitions: The following words, terms and phrases when used in this Chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
ABANDONED SIGN: Any sign and/or its supporting sign structure that remains without a message or whose display surface remains blank for more than one (1) year or that pertains to a time, event, or purpose that no longer applies. ABANDONED SIGNS are not legally established nonconforming signs.
ADDRESS SIGN: A sign on a building displaying numbers only, whether written or in numeric form, used for proper identification of the location of the building.
ALTERATION: Any major change to a sign excluding routine maintenance, painting, or changing of copy of an existing sign.
ANIMATED OR FLASHING SIGN: Any sign or part of a sign which changes physical position by any movement or rotation, or which gives the visual impression of such movement by use of lighting, including blinking, chasing, scrolling, or other animation effects, or signs which exhibit intermittent or sequential flashing of natural or artificial light or color effects.
AREA IDENTIFICATION SIGN: A monument sign which identifies the name of a neighborhood, a residential subdivision, a multi- family complex consisting of three (3) or more structures or ten (10) or more units, a commercial development consisting of three (3) or more separate structures, a shopping center area, an industrial area consisting of three (3) or more structures or any combination of the above, which does not specifically identify the individual business therein.
AWNING: A roof like cover, often of fabric, plastic, metal, or glass, designed and intended for protection from the weather or as a decorative embellishment that projects from a wall or roof of any structure primarily over a window, door, wall, or the like.
BALLOON SIGN: A bag or membrane which is inflated with air, has air actively blown through it to inflate it, or is filled with a lighter than air gas typically intended to rise or float above the ground and is greater than twenty-four inches (24") in diameter.
BANNER: A temporary attention getting device which resembles a flag or similar type of advertisement constructed of a strip of cloth, paper, or other material supported either between poles or fastened to a
building.
BEACON: Any light with one or (1) more beams directed into the atmosphere or directed at one (1) or more points not on the same lot as the light source; also, any light with one or more beams that rotate or move.
BENCH SIGN: A sign which is affixed or painted to a bench, such as a bus bench.
BILLBOARD: See definition of OFF PREMISES SIGN.
BUILDING FACADE: That portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending from grade to the top of the parapet wall or eaves and the entire width of the building elevation.
BUILDING HEIGHT: The vertical distance from the average elevation of the adjoining ground level, or the established grade adjacent to the building, whichever is lower, to the top of the cornice of a flat roof, to the deck line of a mansard roof, to a point of the roof directly above the highest wall of a shed roof, the uppermost point on a round or other arch type roof, or to the highest gable on a pitched or hip roof.
BUILDING MARKER: 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.
BUSINESS: Any establishment, occupation, employment, or enterprise wherein merchandise is manufactured, exhibited, or sold or which occupies time, attention, labor, and materials or where services are offered for compensation.
CANOPY: A roof like structure projecting over a doorway.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN: A sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign. A CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN shall also include reader board signs.
COMMEMORATIVE OR MEMORIAL SIGN: A sign, tablet, or plaque commemorating or memorializing a person, event, structure, or site.
COMMERCIAL SPEECH: Speech that is advertising a business, profession, commodity, service, or entertainment.
COPY AND GRAPHIC: The wording and other display messages such as logos or symbols on a sign.
COPY AND GRAPHIC AREA: The area in square feet of the smallest four (4) sided figure which encloses the copy and graphic of a sign.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN: A sign erected on public or private property which is designated to guide vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
DISTRICT: A specific zoning district as defined in City Code Title 11.
DYNAMIC DISPLAY: Any characteristics of a sign that appear to have movement or that appear to change, caused by any method other than physically removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent movement or change is in the display, the sign structure itself, or any other component of the sign. This includes a display that incorporates a technology or method allowing the sign face to change the image without having to physically or mechanically replace the sign face or its components. This also includes any rotating, revolving, moving, flashing, blinking, or animated display and any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, “digital ink”, video display, or any other method or technology that allows the sign face to present a series of images or displays.
ERECT: The activity of constructing, building, raising, assembling, placing, affixing, attaching, creating, painting, drawing, or any other way of bringing in to being or establishing.
FACADE: A false, superficial, or artificial appearance of a building side, given special architectural treatment.
FLAG: Any fabric or similar lightweight material attached at one (1) end of the material, usually to a staff or pole, so as to allow movement of the material by atmospheric changes and that contains distinctive colors, patterns, symbols, emblems, insignia, or other symbolic devices.
FLASHING SIGN: An illuminated sign which contains flashing lights or exhibits noticeable changes in color or light intensity.
FREESTANDING SIGN: A sign that is placed in the ground and not affixed to any part of a structure or building.
FRONTAGE: For purposes of this Chapter, the front side of a building or tenant space.
GOVERNMENTAL SIGN: A sign which is erected by a governmental unit for the purposes of identification, information, or directing or guiding traffic.
GRADE: For purposes of this Chapter, the elevation or level of the ground at the place the sign is to be erected.
GROSS SIGN AREA CALCULATION: The method of calculating the allowable square footage of signs shall be as follows:
A. Individual Letters or Figures: When attached onto a surface such as a building, canopy, wall, or awning, the area shall be the smallest rectangle that encompasses all of the letters or symbols unless the letters and/or symbols are separated by two feet (2') or more in length, in which case the letter(s) and symbol(s) area shall be calculated separately and added together.
B. Monument and Pylon Signs: The smallest rectangle, square, circle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the entire area of the sign face, including all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs and symbols, together with all the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed and in no case passing through or between elements of such sign. The area shall not include the main supporting sign structure but shall include other ornamental attachments that are not a part of the main support of the sign.
C. Wall Signs: The smallest rectangle, square, circle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the entire area of the frame, including all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs and symbols, together with all the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed and in no case passing through or between elements of such sign. The area shall not include the main supporting sign structure but shall include other ornamental attachments that are not a part of the main support of the sign. Letter(s) and symbol(s) separated by two feet (2') or more in length shall be calculated separately and added together.
HEIGHT: The vertical distance measured from the base of the sign at grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN: Any sign which states the name or address or both of the business or occupant of the lot or building where the sign is placed and may be a directory listing the names, addresses, profession or occupation, and business of occupants.
ILLEGAL SIGN: A sign that is erected without first complying with all City ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of its construction and erection or use. Abandoned signs and unsafe signs are also illegal signs.
ILLUMINATED SIGN: Any sign that contains an element designated to emanate artificial light internally or externally.
INFORMATIONAL SIGN: Any sign erected for the safety or convenience of the public including “no parking”, “entrance/exit”, “loading only”, “telephone”, “manager’s office”, “danger”, and other signs that do not promote or contain advertising or identification of a business, property, or product.
LEGALLY ESTABLISHED NONCONFORMING SIGNS: Any sign and its support structure lawfully erected prior to the effective date of any provision of this Chapter that fails to conform to the requirements of this Chapter.
LIMITED TENANT BUILDING: A commercial retail establishment or a group of commercial retail establishments with the designed occupancy of three (3) or fewer tenants which has shared parking and a visual appearance as a contiguous structure which may or may not be planned, constructed, or managed as a total entity. This includes single tenant retail structures.
LOGO: A symbol, image, insignia, word, word abbreviation, or initials which are designed for easy recognition, and which represents or identifies in graphic form, a nation or organization of nation; businesses; states or cities; or fraternal, religious and civic organizations or any educational institutions, irrespective of whether they are made of permanent, semipermanent, or temporary materials.
MERCHANDISE SIGN: A temporary A-frame or sandwich board style sign advertising merchandise or services displayed outside an enclosed building.
MONUMENT SIGN: A freestanding sign independent from any building or other structure that is mounted on the ground or mounted on a base that is at least as wide as the sign, but in no event shall the base exceed one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the greatest width of the sign. A MONUMENT SIGN is typically solid from grade to the top of the structure; however, a monument sign may include open area below the face of the sign if the sign complies with the monument sign supporting sign structure design criteria.
MOTION SIGN: Any sign which revolves, rotates, has any moving parts, or gives the illusion of motion including animated or flashing signs.
MURAL: A work of graphic art painted on a building wall, which contains no commercial advertising or logos and which does not serve to advertise or promote any business, product, activity, service, interest, or entertainment.
NAMEPLATE: See definition of IDENTIFICATION SIGN.
NONCOMMERCIAL FLAG: Any flag other than a business or commercial flag, including, without limitation, a flag of any governmental, religious, charitable, fraternal, or political organization or cause.
NONCOMMERCIAL SIGN: A sign that does not contain speech but promotes a message concerning political, religious, social, ideological, public service, or informational topics.
NONCONFORMING SIGN:
ILLEGAL: A sign which was constructed after the passage of the ordinance codified in this Chapter or amendments thereto which does not conform to the requirements of this Chapter which were in effect on the date of construction of the sign.
LEGAL: A sign which lawfully existed prior to the passage of the ordinance codified in this Chapter or amendments thereto but which does not conform to this Chapter.
OBSOLETE SIGN: Any sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or products sold at that location or premises where the sign is located.
OFF PREMISES SIGN: A sign bearing a commercial message that is located on a property that is not the premises, property, or site of the use identified or advertised on the sign.
ON PREMISES SIGN: A sign bearing a commercial message that is located on the premises, property, or site of the use identified or advertised on the sign.
PARAPET: A low wall which is located on a roof of a building.
PENNANT: A relatively long tapering flag.
PERMANENT SIGN: Any sign which is not a temporary sign.
PROJECTING SIGN: A sign other than a wall sign which is affixed to a building and which extends perpendicular from the building wall.
PYLON SIGN: A sign supported by a post or posts so that the sign and supports are finished to grade and the post or posts are encased in a material consistent with the sign and where the base width dimension is a minimum of forty percent (40%) of the width of the sign.
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT SIGN: A sign placed on the premises of a subdivision or other real estate development related to the subdivision or real estate development.
REAL ESTATE SIGN: A sign placed upon a property advertising that particular property for sale, rent, or lease.
ROOF SIGN: Any sign erected and constructed wholly upon the roof or parapet of a building, supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically above the highest portion of the roof.
ROOF SIGN, INTEGRAL: Any sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially integral part 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 (6").
ROOFLINE: The uppermost line of the roof of a building or in the case of an extended facade, the uppermost height of such facade.
ROTATING SIGN: A sign which revolves or rotates on its axis by mechanical means.
SHOPPING CENTER: An integrated grouping of commercial stores where the building/structure which houses the store is under single ownership or control.
SIGN: Any letter, word, symbol, device, poster, picture, reading matter, or representation in the nature of an advertisement, announcement, message, or visual communication, whether painted, posted, printed, affixed, or constructed, which is displayed outdoors for informational, corporate identification, or communicative purposes and is visible to the general public.
SIGN STRUCTURE: The supports, uprights, raceway, bracing, and framework for a sign, including the sign area.
STREET FRONTAGE: The proximity of a parcel of land to one (1) or more streets. An interior lot has one (1) street frontage, and a corner lot has two (2) frontages.
TEMPORARY SIGN: Any sign which is erected or displayed for a limited period of time, including signs affixed or attached to vehicles, including trailers, and capable of being readily removed such as fliers, banners, inflatable signs, A-frame signs, or flying signs.
UNSAFE SIGN: Any sign that is out of order, in disrepair, rotten, hazardous, or in any other manner unsafe.
WALL SIGN: A sign which is affixed to the exterior wall of a building and which is parallel to the building wall and which does not project more than twelve inches (12") from the surface to which it is attached, nor extend beyond the top of the parapet wall.
WINDOW SIGN: A sign affixed to or inside of a window in view of the general public. This does not include merchandise on display or business hours.
D. Permits:
1. Sign Permit Requirements: All signs must be constructed in accordance with all applicable City Code provisions, including requirements for obtaining permits and payment of required fees. No sign, unless exempted by this Chapter, shall be erected, altered, reconstructed, or moved in the City without first securing a permit from the City.
a. Application for Permit: The following information shall be submitted within or along with the permit application for a sign:
(1) Name, address, and telephone number of person making application.
(2) Name, address, and telephone number of person owning the sign.
(3) A site plan drawn to scale showing the location of lot lines, buildings, structures, parking areas, existing and proposed signs, and any other physical features of the property where the sign will be located.
(4) Plans, location, specifications, number of signs and their dimensions and square footage, and method of construction and attachment to the building or placement method in the ground.
(5) Copy of stress sheets and calculations showing that the structure is designed for dead load and wind pressure in any direction in the amount required by this Chapter and all other state or federal laws and ordinances of the City.
(6) Written consent of the owner or lessee of any site on which the sign is to be erected if the applicant is not the owner of the property.
(7) Such other information as is required by the Building Official or Community Development Director to show full compliance with this Chapter and all other state or federal laws and ordinances of the City. The Building Official may waive subsections D.1.a(4) and D.1.a(5) of this Section.
b. Sign Contractors: License Required; Application, Fee: No person shall install, erect, or maintain any sign within the City for which a permit is required without having first obtained a license from the City pursuant to City Code Title 3, Chapter 1. Upon submission of a complete application, the license may be approved administratively by the City Clerk.
2. Exceptions: No permit or license for the sign installation thereof shall be required for the following signs which shall be permissible in all zoning districts. These exceptions shall not be construed so as to excuse the installer of the sign, or the owner of the property upon which the sign is located, from conforming to the other provisions of this Chapter, the Zoning Ordinance, or this Code.
a. Address Signs: Address signs not exceeding three (3) square feet.
b. Noncommercial Flags: Noncommercial flags.
c. Building Markers: Building markers not exceeding four (4) square feet.
d. Commemorative or Memorial Signs: Commemorative or memorial signs not exceeding four (4) square feet.
e. Noncommercial Signs: Noncommercial signs in accordance with the following:
(1) In a state general election year, all noncommercial signs of any size may be posted in any number within or outside the public right of way on private property from forty-six (46) days before the state primary in a state general election year until ten (10) days following the state general election. Noncommercial signs may be placed in a City right of way on private property only if they are located more than ten feet (10') from the back of the curb or more than two feet (2') from the edge of a sidewalk or trail, whichever is farthest from the street curb and/or mounted on the face of a fence if the fence is less than ten feet (10') from the back edge of the street curb or less than two feet (2') from the edge of a sidewalk or trail.
(2) If there is a primary for any office in a year that is not a state general election year, noncommercial signs may be posted within or outside the public right of way on private property twenty-one (21) days before the primary election. When there is no primary, noncommercial signs may be posted twenty-one (21) days before the general election.
(3) All noncommercial signs except those otherwise permitted by this Chapter must be removed within ten (10) days following the general election.
f. Public Notices or Signs Required: Official public notices or signs required by local, state, or federal regulations and all governmental signs, including, but not limited to, traffic control and other regulatory purpose signs, street signs, informational signs, danger signs, and railroad crossing signs.
g. Window Signs: Window signs placed within a building and within view of the general public not exceeding forty percent (40%) of total window area in accordance with the following:
(1) Window signs consisting solely of individual alphabetic letters, numerals, or other symbolic characters without any background may be displayed but the net area of the window sign shall not cover more than forty percent (40%) of the total window area.
(2) A window sign that includes opaque objects, logos, and other images with any type of background may be displayed, but the net area of the window sign shall not exceed forty percent (40%) of the total window area. Opaque objects without any lettering, numerals, other symbolic characters, logos, or any other images are limited to window coverage area.
(3) The “total window area” shall be measured and calculated so as to include one (1) continuous panel of glass or other transparent material or a set of two (2) or more panels divided by mullions of six inches (6") in width or narrower. Panels surrounded on all sides by solid walls or mullions wider than six inches (6") shall be considered individual windows.
(4) The net area shall be determined by measuring a box around each group of characters, objects, images, logos, and any background to the objects, images, and logos.
(5) For purposes of this Section, any banner attached to the outside of a window shall not be considered a window sign and shall be considered a temporary sign for which a permit is required.
(6) Hours of operation and “open”/”closed” signs shall not be included in window sign area calculation.
(7) Window signs may be illuminated, but flashing lights are prohibited.
h. Signs Not Exceeding Three Square Feet of Display Surface: A sign not exceeding three (3) square feet of display surface on a residential building stating merely the name, address, and/or profession of an occupant.
i. Informational and Directional Signs: Informational and directional signs posted on the premises to which they pertain, provided the signs are no more than four (4) square feet in size per sign.
j. Merchandise Signs: Merchandise signs in accordance with the following:
(1) Must be within twenty feet (20') from the main entrance to the business or service being advertised.
(2) Must be removed at the end of each business day.
(3) May be no larger than six (6) square feet in size per side.
(4) Merchandise signs in the public right of way or public easements are prohibited.
k. Nameplate: Nameplate not exceeding two (2) square feet in size.
l. Temporary Real Estate Development Signs: New construction temporary real estate development sign(s) advertising new construction are permitted in accordance with the following:
(1) One freestanding temporary sign permitted announcing the development no larger than thirty-two (32) square feet and not exceeding more than eight feet (8') in height.
(a) Sign is permitted to be located on the property under development.
(b) Sign shall be set back at least twenty feet (20') from all property lines.
(c) Sign shall be allowed until eighty percent (80%) of the construction in the development is completed.
(d) If an area identification sign exists on the site, then the new construction temporary sign must be located a minimum of two hundred feet (200') away from the area identification sign.
(2) No more than three (3) temporary directional signs for each model home may be posted within the subdivision.
(a) Sign(s) may be no more than eighteen inches by eighteen inches (18" x 18") in size.
(b) Must be located within the developing subdivision.
(c) May not be closer than ten feet (10') to the back of the curb nor closer than two feet (2') to any sidewalk or trail.
(d) Sign(s) shall be allowed until eighty percent (80%) of the construction in the development is completed.
m. Real Estate Signs: On site real estate signs for the sale or lease of property are allowed subject to the following regulations:
(1) One sign per street frontage is permitted.
(2) In residential districts, signs must not exceed six (6) square feet in area and six feet (6') in height.
(3) Permitted as window signs not exceeding forty percent (40%) of total window area.
(4) In nonresidential districts, one (1) banner sign attached to the principal structure no larger than thirty-two (32) square feet and/or a freestanding sign with a maximum height of twelve feet (12') and no larger than thirty-two (32) square feet is permitted.
(5) Real estate signs must be removed within seven (7) days following lease or sale closing or building is fully occupied.
n. Official Government Flags/Emblems: Official government flags and emblems.
o. Home Security Signs: Home security signs, “no trespassing”, and “no parking” signs provided that the total signage on any individual tax parcel shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area and such signs shall not be illuminated or placed in the public right of way.
p. Murals: Murals.
3. Prohibited Signs: The following signs are specifically prohibited in any district:
a. Motion Signs: Motion signs, including rotating, animated, and flashing signs other than dynamic display signs as permitted elsewhere in this chapter.
b. Roof Signs: Roof signs.
c. Signs Painted on Walls: Signs painted on walls excluding murals.
d. Obsolete or Abandoned Signs: Obsolete or abandoned signs shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure, or property upon which the sign may be found within ten (10) days after written notification from the building official.
e. Illegal Signs: Illegal signs and illegal nonconforming signs.
f. Signs Attached to Utility Poles, Streetlights, and Trees: Signs attached to utility poles, streetlights, and trees other than governmental or traffic signs.
g. Searchlights or Beacons: Searchlights or beacons unless otherwise permitted with a special event permit or grand opening permit.
h. Signs on Bridges and Overpasses: No person shall display, place, erect, post, maintain, install, affix, or carry any sign, including a hand carried sign, on any portion of a pedestrian bridge or overpass that passes over a freeway or a controlled access highway when such highway has a speed limit of more than fifty-five (55) miles per hour.
i. Unsafe or Dangerous Signs: No sign shall be permitted that is a hazard to the public health, safety, convenience, or general welfare.
j. Benches and Bus Shelter Signs: Signs on bus shelters and bus benches are prohibited.
k. Tethered Balloons/Balloon Signs: Tethered balloons and balloon signs.
l. Off Premises Signs: Off premises signs.
m. Signs Within the Clear View Triangle: On corner lots, no signs are permitted within a clear view triangle. The clear view triangle is that area that begins at the intersection of the front property line and corner side property line and is measured back ten feet (10') along both property lines. Those points are then connected with a straight line.
n. Obscene Contents of Signs: No sign shall contain any obscene matter as defined by Minnesota Statutes Section 617.241.
o. Pennants: Pennants.
p. Signs Containing Audio Speakers: Signs containing audio speakers or any form of pyrotechnics.
q. Obstructing Signs: Signs that obstruct windows, doors, fire escapes, or an opening intended to provide ingress or egress to any structure or building.
r. Signs Affixed to Fences or Natural Surfaces: Signs affixed to fences, trees, rocks, or other similar natural surfaces, or attached to public utility poles, bridges, towers, or similar public structures.
s. Signs That Resemble Traffic Signs/Signals: Signs that appear in color or design to resemble a traffic sign or signal or that make use of words, symbols, or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
E. General Provisions:
1. Sign Chart:
PR - Permit required; n/a - Not allowed; A - Allowed | ||||||||
AG-1 & AG-2 | R-1 & R-2 | R-3, R-4, R-5, & R-6 | B-1 | B-2 & B-3 | P-B | I-1, I-2 | I-3 | |
PR - Permit required; n/a - Not allowed; A - Allowed | ||||||||
AG-1 & AG-2 | R-1 & R-2 | R-3, R-4, R-5, & R-6 | B-1 | B-2 & B-3 | P-B | I-1, I-2 | I-3 | |
Abandoned | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Address | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
Animated or flashing | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Area identification | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR |
Awning | n/a | n/a | n/a | A | A | A | A | A |
Balloons and tethered balloons | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Banner - temporary | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR |
Beacon | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Bench and bus shelter | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Billboard | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Canopy | n/a | n/a | n/a | A | A | A | A | A |
Changeable copy/reader board - permanent | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR |
Changeable copy/reader board - temporary | PR | PR | PR | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Commemorative/memori al | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
Dangerous or unsafe | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Directional/informational | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
Directional/informational - off premises | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Dynamic display | n/a | n/a | n/a | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR |
Governmental | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
Identification/name- plate/building marker | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
Illegal | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Illuminated | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR |
Legally established nonconforming | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
Merchandise | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
Monument | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR |
Motion | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Noncommercial flag | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
Obsolete | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
On premises temporary | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR |
Projecting | n/a | n/a | n/a | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR |
Pylon | n/a | n/a | n/a | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR |
Real estate | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
Real estate development | A | A | A | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Roof | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Wall sign | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR |
Window | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
2. Color of Signs: All signs which have their backs visible to public view shall have such backs painted in a neutral color compatible with the background against which they are set.
3. Signs Affixed Flat Against Building Walls: No sign affixed flat against a building wall shall extend beyond any edge of such wall, nor shall any such sign extrude more than twelve inches (12") from the wall.
4. Changing Copy of Sign: The changing of the copy or message of a painted, plastic face, or printed sign is permitted provided that there is no change in the size, shape, or lighting of the sign and provided that such change is not done in a manner so as to constitute a flashing sign.
5. Compliance with Building and Electrical Code: All signs shall comply with all applicable provisions of the building code and, if applicable, electrical code.
6. Approval of Property Owner: No sign shall be placed on any property without the approval of the property owner.
7. Height Above Public Ways: Except for necessary poles, uprights, pedestals, and other support structure elements, no portion of any sign located over a public right of way shall be less than eight feet (8') above grade level, except for signs that are designed such that they present no hazard to pedestrians or vehicles.
8. Illuminated Signs: Illuminated signs shall comply with the following requirements:
a. Any illuminated sign located within fifty feet (50') of a residential lot line shall be diffused or indirect so as not to reflect direct rays of light into adjacent residences. All illuminated signs in business and industrial districts in close proximity to residential districts or residential uses shall be designed, to the extent practical, so as to illuminate the sign and not the residential property or residential use.
b. Illuminated signs lighted by any means, whether as an integral part of the sign or a light away from the sign, such as floodlights, shall be governed as follows:
(1) Any combination of signs or light sources which cast a light on a public street shall not exceed one (1) foot-candle (foot-candle meter reading) as measured at the property line.
(2) Any combination of signs or lights which cast light on property zoned for residential use shall not exceed five-tenths (0.5) of a foot candle (foot-candle meter reading) as measured at the property line of such residential property.
(3) In no instance shall exposed light bulbs be utilized to light signs, property, or merchandise. The lights shall be hooded or controlled in some manner so as to direct light away from public streets or adjacent or nearby property.
(4) The illumination source shall not be placed so as to cause or create a traffic hazard or to conflict with traffic control signs or lights.
(5) The illumination electrical power supply, wiring, and conduits must not be visible on the exterior of the sign.
c. The illumination of building facades with neon or light emitting diode (LED) architectural lighting shall be permitted when properly maintained.
d. The display luminosity of dynamic signs shall be limited to five thousand (5,000) nits (illuminative brightness measurement) during daylight hours, and seven hundred fifty (750) nits between one-half (1/2) hour before sunset to one-half (1/2) hour after sunrise as measured utilizing industry accepted standards.
9. Dynamic Display Signs: Dynamic display signs shall be governed as follows:
a. Permitted Locations:
(1) On wall or monument signs located:
(a) On properties located in any commercial or industrial zoning district.
(b) On properties with a conditional use permit for religious or institutional use.
(c) On government buildings or sites located in any zoning district.
(d) On temporary signs used for traffic control during construction or maintenance projects on state, county, or local roads.
b. Prohibited Locations:
(1) On pylon signs except for retail uses required by Minnesota Statutes to display prices.
(2) As window signs greater than three (3) square feet.
(3) As portable signs.
(4) On rooftops.
(5) In residential and agricultural districts.
c. Setback Requirements: Ten feet (10') from edge of sign to any property line.
d. Display Size:
(1) Twenty-four (24) square feet maximum per property.
(2) Included in total wall and monument signage square footage calculations.
e. Display Height: Fifteen feet (15') maximum from grade to top of sign.
f. Display Image: Pictures, graphics, logos, symbols, images, and messages displayed on the onsite dynamic sign must be static.
g. Display Transition: Scrolling, the appearance of motion, flashing, animation, motion video, and similar transitions are prohibited.
10. Display Frequency: One (1) hour minimum between changes in display transition. Emergency notifications or alerts posted on government or institutional signs are exempt from this Section.
11. Planned Unit Developments: Planned unit developments (PUDs) or planned development overlays (PDOs) shall submit a comprehensive sign plan at such time when the total PUD or PDO is reviewed by the planning commission. Due to the multiple land uses in a planned unit development, all signs shall be compatible in character, materials, and color with each other and the surrounding land uses.
12. Shopping Centers: A comprehensive sign plan shall be submitted for shopping centers at the time when the building plans are reviewed by the planning commission.
13. Mississippi River Critical Area: Within the designated Mississippi River critical area, no sign is permitted that is visible from the river, except those necessary for safe navigation along the river.
14. Statues, Sculptures, and Architectural Features: Symbols, statues, sculptures, and integrated architectural features of a design which deviates from the architectural character of the surrounding structures shall require a conditional use permit.
15. Projecting Signs: Permitted only in business and industrial districts, subject to the following restrictions:
a. The maximum sign area shall be twenty (20) square feet per building face.
b. Not less than eight feet (8') of clearance shall be provided between the sidewalk elevation and the lowest point of the projecting sign.
c. Signs shall project from the face of the building no more than the lesser of one-third (1/3) of the sidewalk width or four feet (4'). Sidewalk width shall be measured perpendicular from the face of the building at the proposed sign location.
16. Contractor Signs: Contractor signs denoting the architect, engineer, or contractor placed on premises are permitted when construction, repair, or renovation is in the process, provided such signs are five (5) square feet or less.
17. Changeable Copy Signs:
a. Permitted as a permanent sign in accordance with the requirements set forth in City Code.
b. Permitted as a temporary sign in accordance with the requirements set forth in City Code.
F. Signs in Residential and Agricultural Districts:
1. Design Standards:
a. Area Identification Signs:
(1) Monument Sign: Must be a monument sign.
(2) Located at Entrance: Shall be located at the entrance to the project or subdivision.
(3) Located on Private Property: Shall be located on private property and prohibited on public rights of way unless specifically approved by the City Council.
(4) Maximum Permitted: A maximum of two (2) area identification signs, not exceeding a total of one hundred (100) square feet in sign area with no more than fifty (50) square feet per sign, may be permitted at each project entrance or subdivision entrance. Two (2) signs are permitted at each project entrance only to create a gateway effect at opposite corners of the entrance to the project.
(5) Maximum Height: The maximum height of an area identification sign shall be ten feet (10').
(6) Multiple-Family Buildings: A multiple-family complex consisting of three (3) or more structures or ten (10) or more units shall be allowed an area identification sign not to exceed sixty-four (64) square feet.
b. On Premises Temporary Signs: Residential or agricultural lots greater than three (3) acres in size are permitted no more than two (2) separate on premises temporary signs at one (1) time in accordance with the following:
(1) Combined area of sign(s) must be no more than thirty-two (32) square feet.
(2) Sign(s) may be posted for no more than fifteen (15) consecutive calendar days at a time.
(3) Sign(s) must be set back from the roadway edge a minimum of twenty-five feet (25').
(4) A no fee temporary sign permit is required.
(5) Nine (9) temporary sign permits permitted per property per calendar year.
(6) Banner signs must be attached to the principal structure.
c. Places of Worship, Parks, Hospitals, Schools, and Other Nonresidential Buildings:
(1) Places of worship, parks, community centers, hospitals, schools, libraries, City, and other nonresidential buildings are permitted one (1) monument sign upon their property with a building permit. Such sign shall not exceed a total of fifty (50) square feet and shall not exceed a height of ten feet (10').
(2) In addition to monument signage, wall signage is permitted provided that the wall sign area shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet.
(3) If signage in excess of subsections F.1.c(1) and F.1.c(2) of this subsection is desired, a Conditional Use Permit shall be required.
G. Signs in Business and Industrial Districts:
1. Monument or Pylon Sign:
a. Number of Signs: One (1) on premises monument or pylon sign shall be permitted on each separate property within a business or industrial district.
b. Tenant Identification Monuments: Tenant identification monuments are not permitted in industrial districts in areas designated for mixed uses on the City Comprehensive Plan Map or zoned P-B, planned business, on the City Zoning Map.
c. Location:
(1) Monument or pylon signs shall be no closer than seventy-five feet (75') to another monument or pylon sign.
(2) No monument or pylon sign shall be erected within the clear view triangle.
(3) No monument or pylon sign shall extend above the roofline of any structure on the property on which it is located.
d. Size:
(1) The size of a monument or pylon sign permitted on any individual property is determined by the gross square footage of the principal structure located on the property.
(2) One sign per tax parcel is permitted unless the tax parcel contains a multi-tenant building or limited tenant building and is eighty thousand (80,000) gross square feet or more and has two (2) or more primary access points in which case a second monument or pylon sign is permitted. A second monument sign at a secondary access point is permitted if the primary freestanding sign is of monument style. The second monument sign shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the copy and graphic area and height requirement of the permitted principal sign.
(3) The following table lists the maximum size and heights for permitted monument and pylon signs:
Principal Structure (Gross Square Feet)
|
Monument Height | Pylon Copy and Graphic (Square Feet) | Height | Copy and Graphic (Square Feet) |
Greater than 400,000 | 10 feet | 100 | 15 feet | 50 |
100,001 - 400,000 | 10 feet | 100 | 15 feet | 50 |
20,001 - 100,000 | 10 feet | 90 | 15 feet | 45 |
Less than 20,000 | 10 feet | 70 | 15 feet | 35 |
2. Design: The base of the monument sign shall be constructed of class I materials that match those used on the building for which the sign is located. If no class I materials are used on the building, class II materials shall be used.
3. Wall Signs:
a. Gas station canopies or other canopies are considered principal structures for computing allowable signage.
b. The following table indicates maximum wall signage permitted per tenant wall:
Principal Structure Size (Gross Square Feet) |
Individual Wall Sign Calculation |
100,001 - 400,000 square feet | 200 square feet or 1.25 square feet of sign per linear foot of the tenant frontage, whichever is less |
20,001 - 100,000 square feet | 150 square feet or 1.25 square feet of sign per linear foot of the tenant frontage, whichever is less |
Less than 20,000 square feet | 100 square feet or 1.25 square feet of sign per linear foot of the tenant frontage, whichever is less |
c. Sign area measured shall be the allowable wall sign square footage for each of the tenant walls.
d. The City may recognize separate sign plans for buildings which will supersede the ordinance. The sign plans which have been approved by the Community Development Director will have the effect of a sign ordinance for the specific property.
e. Each tenant’s wall sign on a multi-tenant building shall not extend closer than two feet (2') from the tenant’s lease line. Wall signs may include tenant identification, tenant logo, shopping center name, shopping center logo, or any combination of the four (4).
f. Tenant identification shall be individually mounted or located on a raceway that is consistent in color with the wall facade.
g. All returns of tenant identification signs on a single multi-tenant building shall be uniform in color.
h. All tenant wall signs shall be internally illuminated.
i. Wall signs shall not extend above the roofline of any principal building.
j. Sign changeouts require repair to holes or other wall markings left and painting to match tenant wall facade color.
4. Awnings, Canopies, Marquees:
a. Signs on awnings, marquees, and canopies shall be considered wall signs under the terms of this Section and subject to the regulations for said signs.
(1) Copy or graphics on awnings, canopies, or marquees shall be considered as part of the individual wall area calculation.
(2) An awning may be designated as a sign area as an alternative or addition to a sign on the building facade, provided the awning signage does not exceed the total sign area allowed.
(3) A sign may be displayed on the side panels of the awning.
(4) The sign displayed on the awning shall not be more than forty percent (40%) of the awning’s principal face.
5. On Premises Temporary Signs:
a. Existing Business: A maximum of four (4) temporary sign permits may be issued to each business per calendar year for up to fifteen (15) days each. The temporary sign must be in the form of a weatherproof banner no larger than thirty-two (32) square feet in size attached to the principal structure.
b. New Business or Reopening of an Existing Business or Store Closing: One (1) temporary sign permit per calendar year shall be issued for no more than fifteen (15) days.
c. Removal After Expiration of Permit: On premises temporary signs must be removed within twenty-four (24) hours after the expiration of the permit.
H. Legally Established Nonconforming Signs:
1. Continuance of Use: Any legally established nonconforming sign (legal nonconforming sign), including its structure, may be continued at the same size and in the same manner of operation except as hereinafter specified.
2. Dangerous Conditions: A legal nonconforming sign must be removed if the sign and/or structure is declared unsafe by the building inspection division.
3. Discontinuance of Use: When the use of a legal nonconforming sign has been for a period of twelve (12) months or has changed to conform to this Chapter, any further use of the sign must comply with all provisions of this Chapter and Minnesota Statutes Section 462.357.
4. Damaged Signs: Whenever a legal nonconforming sign shall have been damaged by fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, war, or an act of God and the damage of the sign and/or structure is fifty percent (50%) or more of its fair market value as estimated by the building inspection division, it may be reconstructed and used as before if a building permit has been applied for within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date the sign was damaged. If no building permit is applied for within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date the sign was damaged, any subsequent use or reconstruction of the sign shall be for a use in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.
5. Alteration of Signs: A legal nonconforming sign may not be altered except as permitted by state statute.
6. Maintenance and Repair: Normal maintenance of a legal nonconforming sign is permitted, including necessary structural repairs and incidental alterations which do not extend or intensify the nonconforming use.
I. Maintenance and Repair Requirements:
1. All signs, together with all their supports, braces, guys, and anchors shall be kept in repair and in proper state of preservation.
2. The display surfaces of all signs and tier supports shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times.
3. All signs which are unsafe, dangerous, and/or unsightly shall be repaired or removed. Unsafe or dangerous signs shall be removed or otherwise properly secured by the property owner and/or sign owner upon receipt of notice to do so given by the City. Any abandoned, unsafe, or illegal sign is hereby declared to be a danger to the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Cottage Grove and is declared to be a public nuisance subject to abatement and assessment, except that legally established nonconforming signs shall not be abated until they have been abandoned for more than one (1) year. Unsightly signs must be repaired or removed within fifteen (15) days of notification. The term “unsightly” shall mean a condition in which the sign has deteriorated to the point where at least one-fourth (1/4) of the surface area of the name, identification, description, display, illustration, or other symbol is no longer clearly recognizable at a distance of twenty feet (20'); or where paint is peeling, chipping, or flaking from the structure surface, or where the sign has developed significant rust, corrosion, rotting, or other deterioration in the physical appearance.
4. Every sign and the immediate surrounding premises shall be maintained by the owner or person in charge thereof in a clean, sanitary, and inoffensive condition and free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish, and weeds. Notice shall be given to the Community Development Director of any change in sign user, sign owner, or owner of the property on which the sign is located.