A. Sign Area Measurement: Signs which use a cabinet shall have their area determined to be the area of the entire cabinet face, excluding its border, visible from the outside of the sign. In the case of individual letters used as a sign, the area is ninety percent (90%) of the area enclosed within the smallest regular geometric shape needed to completely encompass all letters, insignias, and symbols of the sign, including horizontal spacing between letters, insignias, symbols, and any extension of support structures not enclosed within the area of all individual letters. Sign measurements shall also be subject to the following:
1. The supports, uprights, or structure on which any sign is supported shall not be included in determining the sign area unless such supports, uprights, or structure are designed in a manner as to form an integral background of the display.
2. Sign area shall be calculated for one sign face, except as otherwise stated for particular sign types in this chapter.
3. Sign allowances shall include all on premises signs unless under this chapter a particular type of sign:
a. Is expressly excluded from the calculation of sign allowances; or
b. Has a separate basis for calculating sign area.
4. For signs using individual letters, the area of the entire sign shall be calculated using a single regular geometric shape, albeit words, abbreviations, logos, and insignias may be calculated independently to determine area of such signage. (Ord. 1132, 2-17-2015)
B. Sign Height Measurement:
1. Freestanding Signs: Sign height for all freestanding signs is the distance measured from the average finished grade at the base of the sign to the topmost portion of a sign, excluding decorative embellishments.
2. Building And Wall Mounted Signs: The height of any building or wall mounted sign is the vertical distance measured for the cabinet or geometric shape used to determine the sign's area.
C. Clearance Requirements:
1. No sign or sign structure shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere in any way with the free use of any fire escape, exit, or standpipe.
2. No permanent or temporary sign shall obstruct any door or window opening.
3. Freestanding signs shall not extend over any pedestrian or vehicular access area unless specifically approved by the city engineer and the fire department.
4. No sign shall be erected or maintained which has less clearance from communication lines and energized electrical power lines than that prescribed by the laws of the state of Utah.
5. No sign shall be located on publicly owned land or inside or over street rights of way, except as specifically authorized in this chapter.
D. Setback Requirements: To determine setback distances, measurements shall be taken from the point of the sign or sign structure which is closest to the street, right of way, district line, or property line from which the sign is to be set back (see illustration).
1. All freestanding and monument signs shall be set back a minimum of fifteen feet (15') from the back of the curb to allow for park strip and sidewalk. Setbacks from property lines are in addition to minimum curb setback.
2. Signs in any commercial or manufacturing zoning district shall be located not less than twenty feet (20') from any adjacent residentially zoned property.
3. No signs greater than three feet (3') in height shall be permitted in the triangular clear view area.
E. Traffic Safety: No sign or other advertising structure shall be erected which in any manner may be confused with an official traffic sign or signal or which bears words normally used in such signs, i.e., stop, go slow, caution, danger, warning, etc., in a manner that resembles traffic signs. No sign shall have lighting which impairs the vision or anyone traveling upon a public or private street or distracts any driver so as to create a public nuisance. No sign or group of signs may exceed one foot-candle in brightness as measured at the property line.
F. Design, Construction, And Maintenance:
1. All signs shall comply with applicable provisions of all codes, including building and electrical codes adopted by the city.
2. Permanent signs shall be constructed of permanent material and shall be attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame, or structure.
3. All signs shall be maintained in good and safe structural condition. The landscaped area in which any freestanding sign is placed shall be kept free from weeds, garbage, and debris.
4. Permanent signs shall be designed so as to be an integral part of the overall design of a site and architecturally compatible with the buildings to which they relate.
G. Illumination Requirements: Permanent signs may be illuminated according to this subsection unless otherwise specified in this chapter. Illumination may be either by direct, internal, or internal indirect means and shall be so installed according to all applicable codes and regulations.
1. Any external light source used for the illumination of a sign shall be shielded so all direct light shines onto the sign area only.
2. Neither direct nor reflected light from any source shall create a traffic hazard, distraction to operators of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares, or create a nuisance to surrounding properties.
3. For signs illuminated from an internal light source:
a. The light source shall not be visible from the exterior of the sign; and
b. No direct lighting shall shine beyond the sign area.
4. The following illumination types shall be prohibited for all signs:
a. Flashing, blinking, or rotating lights;
b. Exposed neon or similar tube type illumination, except as specifically permitted elsewhere in this chapter;
c. Visible bare incandescent, fluorescent, metal halide, or high or low pressure sodium light bulbs; and
d. Mercury vapor lights.
5. All applicable illumination standards of chapter 20 of this title shall be adhered to at all times.
H. Standards For Permitted Sign Types:
1. Sign Integration And Design Standards: Sign locations shall be integrated with landscape plans to avoid obstruction of the sign and traffic.
a. Wall sign copy is strongly recommended to be designed with individual letters and logos rather than cabinets.
b. Signage located facing residential areas or which present the risk of light nuisances to adjacent properties shall utilize signage consisting of reverse pan channel lettered and lit designs.
c. Where tower signs are permitted, the poles and other structural supports shall be covered or concealed with pole covers architecturally and aesthetically designed to match the building.
d. Monument signs shall have at least a one foot (1') opaque pedestal designed as part of the foundation which conceals supports. The pedestal shall run at least seventy five percent (75%) of the horizontal length of the sign and no space may be exposed between the pedestal and the ground or landscaped area.
2. Sign Faces: Signs, other than banners, desired to be multifaced may have a maximum spread of forty five degrees (45°) between the faces.
3. Wall Signs: Wall signs shall be placed on the wall of the business which the sign identifies. No wall sign shall be larger than two hundred fifty (250) square feet.
4. Freestanding And Monument Signs:
a. Traffic Hazard: Freestanding and monument signs shall be placed in a manner so as to not interfere with traffic in any way, confuse drivers, or present any traffic hazard.
b. Curb Setback: All freestanding and monument signs shall be set back a minimum of fifteen feet (15') from back of curb or in compliance with sign distance triangles when physical conditions prohibit compliance with this fifteen feet (15') setback requirement. (Ord. 963, 2-15-2011)