A. Accessory Structures: Except as provided for by subsection W of this section, all signs must be accessory structures.
B. Standards Adopted: The design and construction standards as set forth in chapter 4 of the 1997 edition of the uniform sign code as may be amended, are hereby adopted.
C. Electrical Signs: The installation of electrical signs shall be subject to the state's electrical code. Electrical service to such signs shall be underground.
D. Approval: No sign shall be attached or be allowed to hang from any building until all necessary wall and roof attachments have been approved by the zoning administrator.
E. Trees; Interference: No signs, guys, stays or attachments shall be erected, placed or maintained on trees nor interfere with any electric light, power, telephone or telegraph wires or the supports thereof. (Ord. 867, sec. 66, 5-17-2010)
F. Illuminated Signs:
1. Illuminated signs shall be shielded to prevent lights from being directed at oncoming traffic in such brilliance that it impairs the vision of the driver and may not interfere with or obscure traffic signs or signals. Lighting may not illuminate any adjacent properties, buildings, or streets.
2. No sign incorporating LED lighting may be illuminated in any way so as to exceed a maximum intensity of five thousand (5,000) nits during daylight hours or five hundred (500) nits from sunset to sunrise measured at the sign face at maximum brightness.
3. Signs using fluorescent, neon or incandescent light sources shall not exceed twelve (12) watts per square foot of sign surface area.
4. All signs incorporating LED lighting installed after December 3, 2012, shall be equipped with a mechanism that automatically adjusts the brightness to ambient lighting conditions to conform to the requirements of this subsection.
5. The owner of any LED illuminated sign shall provide certification as to compliance with subsections F2 and F3 of this section to the city upon request by the zoning administrator. (Ord. 897, 12-3-2012)
G. Temporary Signs: The use of banners, pennants and similar devices for commercial, industrial and institutional uses shall be subject to the following provisions:
1. Temporary signs shall require a permit valid for no more than sixty (60) days during any calendar year.
2. The maximum area of a temporary sign shall be fifty (50) square feet per sign face, except within the freeway corridor district where the maximum area of a temporary sign shall be one hundred (100) square feet per sign face.
3. Not more than one temporary sign shall be displayed upon a property at any one time.
4. No temporary sign as provided for by section 11-23-15.T. of this title shall be allowed for a lot upon which there is a dynamic display sign.
H. Placement: No sign or sign structure shall be erected or maintained that prevents free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign or sign structure shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
I. Structure: A freestanding sign or sign structure constructed so that the faces are not back to back, shall not have an angle separating the faces exceeding twenty degrees (20°) unless the total area of both sides added together does not exceed the maximum allowable sign area for that district.
J. Address Sign: Except for farm buildings, at least one address sign identifying the correct property number as assigned by Dakota County shall be required on each principal building in all districts. The number shall be at least three inches (3") in height.
K. Exterior Mounted Signs: All exterior mounted signs shall be constructed of high quality materials, durable and resistant to fading, cracking, chipping, peeling or other forms of extreme wear and except within the C-CBD District shall not be applied with paint directly onto the exterior surface of the building. (Ord. 897, 12-3-2012)
L. Square Footage Calculation: The area within the frame of a sign shall be used to calculate the square footage except that the width of a frame exceeding twelve inches (12") shall constitute sign face, and if such letters or graphics be mounted directly on a wall or fascia or in such way as to be without a frame the dimensions for calculating the square footage shall be the area in a plane figure bounded by straight lines connecting the outermost points thereof. Each surface utilized to display a message or to attract attention shall be measured as a separate sign and shall be calculated in the overall square footage. Symbols, flags, pictures, wording, figures or other forms of graphics painted on or attached to windows, walls, awnings, freestanding structures, suspended by balloons, or kites or on persons, animals, or vehicles are considered a sign and are included in calculating the overall square footage.
M. Height:
1. Freestanding signs:
a. The height of the sign shall be measured from the ground at the base to the highest-most part of the structure.
b. On commercial and industrial properties with an elevation below that of the centerline of the adjacent street, measured at the closest distance between the sign location and centerline of the street, the height of a freestanding sign may increase to be not more than the allowed height of a freestanding sign within the applicable district above the centerline elevation of the street with a total height not to exceed more than ten feet (10') above the maximum height of the applicable district.
2. Wall, canopy or marquee signs: The top of a sign, including its structure, if any, shall be no higher than the roof of the building to which such sign may be attached.
N. Landscaping: The area around freestanding signs shall be landscaped with plantings and maintained in such a manner to accent and enhance the sign while remaining sensitive to the natural features of the site.
O. Motor Fuel Facilities: Signs for motor fuel facilities shall be regulated by the sign provisions for the zoning district in which the facility is located, except that:
1. The construction of any freestanding sign shall be as follows:
a. The sign shall be self-supported vertically by a solid base extending horizontally for a minimum of the entire width of the sign face. Total height of the monument sign including the base shall not exceed fifteen feet (15').
b. The sign base and supporting material shall be equal to at least forty percent (40%) of the total allowable sign square footage, and shall not be counted toward the sign area. The base shall be attached to the ground for its entire horizontal width of the sign. The base shall be stone, brick, or decorative masonry consistent with the exterior material of the principal building and shall not contain any sign copy.
c. Within a freestanding sign, an area not to exceed twenty four (24) square feet shall be allowed for continuous display (no flashing, scrolling or other animation) of electronic or nonelectronic changeable copy identifying current fuel prices in accordance with Minnesota state statutes section 239.751.
2. Wall signs:
a. One (1) wall sign shall be allowed on the canopy elevation in addition to the wall signs allowed by Section 11-23-19 of this title.
b. The area of the individual wall signs shall not exceed the area allowed for wall signs within the zoning district as established by Section 11-23-19 of this title.
P. Window Signs: Window signs shall not exceed twenty five percent (25%) of the total area of the window in which they are displayed.
Q. Adjoining Properties: Separate commercial and industrial uses on adjoining properties with a common lot line may each locate a sign on one freestanding structure subject to approval by the zoning administrator, provided that:
1. The area of each of the individual business signs shall be consistent with the applicable district provisions in section 11-23-19 of this chapter.
2. The height of the freestanding sign shall be consistent with the applicable district provisions in section 11-23-19 of this chapter.
3. The maximum number of signs displayed on a single structure is two (2) signs.
4. No additional freestanding signs shall be displayed on the individual properties.
5. An agreement addressing construction, maintenance, and repair responsibilities and trespass rights is established and filed with the Dakota County recorder against the titles of the two (2) properties involved in the collocated freestanding sign. Amendment or cancellation of the agreement shall be allowed only upon written approval by the zoning administrator.
R. Multiple Occupancy Commercial And Industrial Buildings: When a single principal building is devoted to two (2) or more commercial or industrial principal uses, signs shall be allowed subject to review and approval of the zoning administrator based upon the following requirements:
1. The maximum individual sign sizes for multiple occupancy buildings and individual businesses that may display a sign shall not exceed the maximum provisions in the same zoning district in section 11-23-19 of this chapter.
2. Multiple occupancy buildings may display a freestanding sign that complies with the applicable zoning district provisions in section 11-23-19 of this chapter.
3. Individual tenants of a multiple occupancy building within a commercial or industrial zoning district may display separate wall, canopy, or marquee signs subject to the following requirements:
a. Within the O-R, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-CBD, and O-P districts:
(1) The number of individual wall, canopy, or marquee signs shall be limited to one elevation per tenant space except additional sign(s) may be displayed on a second elevation for the tenant of a corner suite or a suite that extends through the building thus having two (2) exterior walls.
(2) The tenant's business shall have an exclusive exterior entrance except when the tenant occupies greater than twenty percent (20%) of the net leasable area of the building.
(3) The sign(s) shall be located only on the exterior wall of the tenant space to which the sign permit is issued, except when the tenant occupies greater than twenty percent (20%) of the net leasable area of the building, but is (are) not required to face a public street.
(4) Each sign and the total area of all signs on a single elevation for an individual tenant shall be limited to the maximum wall sign size permitted in the applicable zoning district provisions in section 11-23-19 of this chapter.
b. Within the I-1, I-2 and I-CBD Districts:
(1) The number of individual wall, canopy, or marquee signs shall be limited to one elevation per tenant space except that additional sign(s) may be displayed on a second elevation for the tenant of a corner suite or a suite that extends through the building thus having two (2) exterior walls.
(2) The sign(s) shall be located only on the exterior wall of the tenant space to which the sign permit is issued, but is(are) not required to face a public street.
(3) Each sign or the total area of all signs on a single elevation for an individual tenant shall be limited to the maximum wall sign size permitted in the applicable zoning district provisions in section 11-23-19 of this chapter.
c. A Comprehensive Sign Plan is submitted that includes all of the following information:
(1) A site plan to scale showing the location of lot lines, buildings, structures, parking areas, existing and proposed signs, and any other physical features of the area included within the proposed Comprehensive Sign Plan.
(2) Scale elevations of buildings showing the location of existing or proposed wall, canopy, or marquee signs.
(3) To scale plans for all existing and proposed signs of any type included within the Comprehensive Sign Plan indicating area, dimensions, height, materials, colors, and any means of illumination.
S. Maximum Area Of Signage: On individual properties within commercial and industrial zoning districts in cases where no freestanding signs are utilized and where principal structures have a front yard setback in excess of that which is required under the applicable zoning district regulations, the maximum area allowed for individual wall, canopy or marquee signs may be increased by one percent (1%) for every five feet (5') of additional setback beyond the zoning district front yard setback requirement. This increase shall be limited to a maximum area of one hundred twenty five percent (125%) and shall be applied only to signs located on the side of the building facing the yard for which the calculation was made.
T. Changeable Copy Signs:
1. For commercial and industrial uses, one (1) 40-square foot changeable copy sign (but not including electronic changeable copy or electronic graphic display signs) shall be allowed per site provided that the changeable copy area of the sign is integrated into the allowed freestanding sign for the respective zoning district.
2. Within the C-2 and C-3 Districts, one electronic changeable copy or electronic graphic display sign may be allowed provided that:
a. Operation: The operation of the electronic sign shall require issuance of a license pursuant to section 3-22-3 of this Code.
b. Location:
(1) The sign shall be displayed only in a yard abutting an arterial, minor expander, minor connector or minor reliever street, collector or local commercial street as defined by the Comprehensive Plan.
(2) The sign shall be set back a minimum of fifty feet (50') from any side or rear lot line abutting a residential district.
c. Sign Structure:
(1) The electronic changeable copy or graphic display shall be incorporated as part of the freestanding sign allowed by subsection 11-23-19E of this chapter.
(2) The sign including the electronic changeable copy or graphic display element shall be a monument sign constructed as follows:
(A) The electronic changeable copy or graphic display element shall not exceed forty (40) square feet and shall be integral and contiguous to the overall sign display.
(B) The sign shall be self-supported vertically by a solid base extending horizontally for a minimum of the entire width of the sign face.
(C) The height of the electronic changeable copy or graphic display within the sign structure shall not exceed fifteen feet (15').
(D) The sign base and supporting material constructed of stone, brick, or decorative masonry shall be equal to at least forty percent (40%) of the total sign area, but shall not be counted toward the sign area and shall not contain any sign copy.
3. For buildings with a gross floor area of seventy thousand (70,000) square feet or larger within C-2 and C-3 Districts also within the Freeway Corridor District, as defined on the zoning map, one (1) electronic changeable copy or electronic graphic display sign may be allowed provided that:
a. Operation: The operation of the electronic sign shall require issuance of a license pursuant to section 3-22-3 of this Code.
b. Location:
(1) The sign shall be displayed only in a yard abutting an arterial, minor expander, minor connector or minor reliever street, collector or local commercial street as defined by the Comprehensive Plan.
(2) The sign shall be set back a minimum of fifty feet (50') from any side or rear lot line abutting a residential district.
c. Sign Structure:
(1) The electronic changeable copy or graphic display shall be incorporated as part of the freestanding sign allowed by subsection 11-23-19F of this chapter.
(2) The electronic changeable copy or graphic display element shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet and shall be integral and contiguous to the overall sign display.
(3) The total height of the sign structure including the base shall not exceed thirty feet (30').
U. Time And Temperature Sign: Within commercial and industrial zoning districts, an area not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet within a freestanding or wall sign shall be allowed for display of an electronic time and temperature sign subject to the sign provisions for the zoning district in which the sign is located.
V. Projecting Signs: Projecting signs may be allowed in commercial districts provided that:
1. There is a minimum of eight feet (8') of clearance under the base of the sign to the ground below.
2. The sign does not project more than five feet (5') beyond the wall to which it is mounted, may not project over any vehicular drive aisle or traveled portion of a public or private street and except in the C-CBD District may not project over a public right- of-way.
3. The area of the projecting sign shall not exceed twenty four (24) square feet.
W. Billboards: Existing billboards erected prior to January 1, 1980, are an allowed use subject to the following requirements:
1. The sign is defined as a principal use of the property upon which a billboard is located. No approval shall be granted for a second principal use upon a property when one of the principal uses is a billboard allowed by this section.
2. The area of the sign shall not exceed four hundred (400) square feet.
3. The structure shall not exceed forty feet (40') in height.
X. Subdivisions:
1. Permanent Signs: For a subdivision having not less than three (3) lots or principal buildings, one (1) sign shall be allowed at each corner of an intersection within the plat or abutting a lot or outlot within the plat with a collector or arterial street defined by the Lakeville transportation plan, provided that:
a. The area of the face of each sign shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet.
b. Freestanding signs shall be limited to a maximum height of:
(1) Ten feet (10') for residential uses.
(2) Twenty feet (20') for commercial, industrial, and institutional uses.
2. Temporary Signs: Additional temporary signs shall be allowed upon approval of a preliminary plat for a subdivision having not less than three (3) lots or approval of site and building plans, a conditional use permit, or an interim use permit for development of one (1) lot provided that:
a. One (1) sign shall be allowed per project or subdivision or one (1) sign for each frontage to a collector or arterial street, whichever is greater.
(1) The area of the sign face shall not exceed sixty four (64) square feet.
(2) Freestanding signs shall be limited to a maximum height of eight feet (8').
b. Model homes as provided for by Chapter 27 of this title shall be allowed the following signs to be installed upon the same lot as the model home:
(1) One freestanding sign with a sign face not to exceed thirty two (32) square feet or a maximum height of eight feet (8').
(2) Not more than three (3) flags with a maximum area of sixteen (16) square feet per face per flag and maximum height of twenty four feet (24') shall be allowed upon lots within the subdivision.
c. Unless extended by the Zoning Administrator, the temporary signs and flags allowed by this section shall only be displayed for a period not to exceed three (3) years from the date a permit is issued for the sign or flag or until building permits have been issued for one hundred percent (100%) of the lots within a final plat or subsequent phases of the same preliminary plat of a subdivision. (Ord. 867, sec. 66, 5-17-2010; amd. Ord. 888, 2-21-2012; Ord. 897, 12-3-2012; Ord. 936, 3-16-2015; Ord. 958, 3-21-2016; Ord. 976, 3-6-2017; Ord. 982, 6-19-2017; Ord. 996, 5-7-2018; Ord. 1000, 8-6-2018; Ord. 1015, 8-5-2019; Ord. 1020, 12-2-2019; Ord. 1047, 6-7-2021; Ord. 1052, sec.6, 9-7-2021; Ord. 1078, 6-5-2023; Ord. 1080, 6-5-2023)