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(A) Except as herein provided, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter or relocate within the city any sign as defined in this subchapter without first obtaining a permit to do so, and making payment of the permit fee and surcharge.
(B) Those persons wishing to maintain or repair signs may do so without a permit when the maintenance does not alter the location or size of the existing sign.
(C) Those persons wishing to replace sign components (i.e., sign face(s), structure) may do so after first obtaining a permit. Permits for replacement of sign components shall not be subject to a permit fee or surcharge, so long as the work does not alter the location or size of the existing sign.
(Ord. 395, passed 7-6-2010; Am. Ord. 419, passed 12-17-2013; Am. Ord. 452, passed 10-17-2017) Penalty, see § 150.999
Each application for a permit under this subchapter shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator, and shall include a permit fee as established by City Council resolution, and surcharge based upon the valuation of the sign. Temporary sign permit applications shall also include a permit fee as established by City Council resolution, but are exempt from the surcharge. Each application shall state or have attached thereto the following information.
(A) Name, address, and telephone number of person for whom sign is being erected. Name of person, firm, corporation or association erecting structure.
(B) A complete description of the sign and a sketch showing its size, manner of construction and such other information as shall be necessary to inform the Zoning Administrator of the kind, size, material and construction of the sign, including the proposed location of the sign and the location of building, structure or lot to which, or upon which the sign is to be attached or erected.
(C) Position of the sign and other advertising structures in relation to nearby buildings or structures, and lighting details.
(D) At the request of the Zoning Administrator/Building Official, two (2) drawings of the plans and specifications, and method of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground, any and all additional information as deemed necessary by the Zoning Administrator/Building Inspector.
(E) The Zoning Administrator/Building Official may waive requirements for technical information specified above where such information is not necessary to the determination of compliance.
(F) If a sign authorized by permit has not been installed within six (6) months after the date of issuance, the permit shall become null and void.
(Ord. 395, passed 7-6-2010; Am. Ord. 419, passed 12-17-2013)
(A) It shall be the responsibility of the permit holder and of the owner and/or lessee of the property and structure upon which any sign is located to:
(1) Keep the ground around any sign free of weeds and litter;
(2) All signs shall be maintained and kept in a safe condition by the owner. A sign shall be repainted if its paint begins to fade, chip or color;
(3) Immediately repair or remove any sign or sign structure which becomes unsafe, in a state of disrepair, insecure or a menace to the public following written notice of such condition from the city;
(4) All signs shall comply with maintenance sections of the Minnesota State Building Code as may be amended; and
(5) When electrical signs are installed, the installation shall be subject to the State Building Code and/or Electrical Code as may be amended.
(B) No sign or sign structure shall be placed on or protrude over the public right-of-way, except wall (maximum protrusion twelve (12) inches), canopy, awning, and marquee signs. Any sign affixed to the top side of a canopy/awning/marquee shall not exceed twelve (12) inches in height. Canopy/awning/marquee structures and signs shall be set back three (3) feet from the curb line. Exception: schools and churches, upon approval of the Public Works Director and Zoning Administrator, may request that the city install a directional sign on a city right-of-way. Sign to be paid for by the church or school. Limit of two (2) per church or school. No face sign shall be larger than two (2) feet, six (6) inches in any dimension, and shall be no more than six and one-quarter (6.25) square feet in area. The bottom of the sign shall be a minimum of seven (7) feet above grade at the curb line, and shall be located so as not to interfere with public roads and street signs and they shall maintain a safe site distance at street intersections. Signs must be properly maintained and may be removed by the Public Works Director if they are damaged or in violation of any part of this zoning code. The cost of sign replacement shall be paid by the church or school.
(C) All signs located over public right-of-ways or over public or private access routes shall be located a minimum of eight (8) feet over walking surfaces, and seventeen (17) feet, four (4) inches over vehicle-related access routes.
(D) The temporary use of portable signs and similar devices shall require a permit. The permit shall be prominently displayed during the period of validity.
(E) All height restrictions on signs shall include height of sign structure, and shall be measured from nearest finished grade.
(F) The top edge of a wall sign shall not extend above the mean level of the roof, except where there is a mansard roof, in which case the sign shall then not exceed the height of the mansard.
(G) Where a building contains more than one (1) business, the allowable sign area for any single business is its portion of the gross square footage of the building applied as a percentage to the allowable sign area of the entire building.
(H) Signs are allowable as an accessory use in all districts except where prohibited by this subchapter.
(I) Any business closing its doors for business or permanently going out of business must remove signage within ninety (90) days of the closure of the business.
(J) All conforming signs and sign structures not used by a tenant or owner shall be removed by the owner of the premises after six (6) months of non-use.
(K) Signage shall be subject to zoning code § 150.013 (Traffic Visibility).
(L) A sign shall be allowed as a principal use in the B-2 (General Business) District. This provision shall not include temporary signs as defined and regulated herein.
(Ord. 395, passed 7-6-2010; Am. Ord. 419, passed 12-17-2013: Am. Ord. 452, passed 10-17-2017) Penalty, see § 150.999
The following signs are hereby prohibited:
(A) Signs that by reason of position, shape or color would interfere with the proper function of a traffic sign, signal or be misleading to vehicular or pedestrian traffic;
(B) Signs within a public right-of-way or easement, except for signs installed by governmental units or as otherwise permitted by this subchapter;
(C) Signs that resemble any official marker erected by a governmental agency or that display such words as “stop” or “danger” which are not erected by legal authority;
(D) Signs tacked, posted, or otherwise affixed to trees, fences, poles or other structures not considered to be sign structures;
(E) Roof signs, except in the B-1 (Central Business) District;
(F) Signs painted or attached to vehicles where the vehicle is parked on public or private property and not intended to be moved;
(G) Portable signs, except by temporary permit granted by the Zoning Administrator;
(H) The following signs larger than nine (9) square feet in area are prohibited: memorial signs or tablets, integral signs, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface, or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material and attached to the building; and
(I) Lighter than air, inflatable devices, other than balloons, utilized primarily to draw attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business are prohibited within all zoning districts, except for the B-2 (General Business) District.
(Ord. 395, passed 7-6-2010; Am. Ord. 419, passed 12-17-2013; Am. Ord. 452, passed 10-17-2017)
The following signs shall be permitted without a permit.
(A) Non-commercial speech signs as defined herein.
(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subchapter, all signs of any size containing non-commercial speech may be posted from forty-six (46) days before the state primary in a state general election year until ten (10) days following the state general election, and thirteen (13) weeks prior to any special election until ten (10) days following the special election. Such signs shall only be installed with the permission of the property owner or lessee.
(2) One (1) non-commercial speech sign is allowed on each property outside of the above specified time period in excess of and in addition to the sign limitations of this subchapter.
(B) Directional signs located on, above or beside entrances or exits to buildings or driveways, which direct pedestrians, such as “Employees Entrance”, “Exit Only”, “Rest Rooms”, provided that such signs are no more than four (4) square feet in area.
(C) Temporary signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor, when placed upon work under construction, provided each such sign is not more than thirty-two (32) square feet in area, and removed upon completion of construction. Construction signs shall not be erected before issuance of a building permit or remain after issuance of certificate of occupancy. Construction signs shall be confined to the site of the construction, alteration or repair. One (1) sign shall be permitted for each major street the project abuts.
(D) Integral signs as defined herein.
(E) Informational signs as defined herein.
(F) Real estate signs. Signs must be removed within fourteen (14) days of the closing or rental of property. Signs may not measure more than sixteen (16) square feet in residential districts, or more than thirty-two (32) square feet in all other districts. There shall be only one (1) sign per premise. Properties with more than one (1) street frontage are allowed a maximum of two (2) signs. Such signs shall not be less than five (5) feet from the right-of-way line unless flat against the structure.
(G) Flags, badges or insignias of any government, governmental agency or any civic, religious, fraternal or similar organization.
(H) Rummage/garage sale signs.
(I) Window signs as defined herein.
(J) Public signs, street signs, warning signs or signs of public service companies for the purpose of safety.
(K) Lighter than air, inflatable devices utilized primarily to draw attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business shall only be allowed in the B-2 (General Business) District.
(L) Bench signs as defined herein. City Council approval is required prior to sign installation if the bench is located within a public right-of-way or easement.
(M) Ball field, score board, and park advertising. Such signs shall be permitted in all districts subject to the following conditions:
(1) Advertising signs shall require City Council approval prior to sign installation;
(2) Signs shall be placed in such a way so as to minimize the greatest possible extent of exposure to adjacent residential properties and public right-of-ways; and
(3) Signs shall not be illuminated when not in use for ball games or other activities.
(Ord. 395, passed 7-6-2010; Am. Ord. 419, passed 12-17-2013; Am. Ord. 452, passed 10-17-2017)
(A) The following signs shall be allowed in the R-1 (Single Family Residential) and R-4 (Low Density Residential) Districts.
(1) One (1) address sign shall be required for each principal building. Such sign requires no permit and shall not count towards the total allowable sign area.
(2) One (1) nameplate or professional identification sign not exceeding four (4) square feet in area. Such sign requires no permit.
(3) Residential developments consisting of ten (10) or more lots may install a monument area identification sign. The number of residential development identification signs shall be based on the number of entrances to the development from arterial and collector streets as determined by the Zoning Administrator. Such signs shall not exceed thirty six (36) square feet in area per face or six (6) feet in height and no sign shall be so constructed as to have more than two (2) sign faces. The location of such signs requires administrative approval from the city.
(4) Non-residential uses of residential property may be allowed area identification signs as follows:
(a) One (1) wall sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet is allowed per street frontage, except that religious uses and public institutions may be allowed one (1) wall sign not exceeding seventy-five (75) square feet per street frontage. Religious uses and public institutions containing more than one (1) principal structure or entity may be allowed one (1) wall sign not exceeding seventy-five (75) square feet per structure or entity per street frontage.
(b) One (1) monument sign shall be permitted per street frontage for each improved property regardless of how many separate non-residential uses are located on said property.
(5) All signs shall be setback a minimum of five (5) feet from any property line, and no sign shall exceed six (6) feet in height, as measured from the nearest finished grade to the highest limit of the sign.
(6) Signage shall be subject to zoning code § 150.013 (Traffic Visibility).
(B) The following signs shall be allowed in the R-2 (Manufactured Home Park) District.
(1) One (1) address sign shall be required for each principal building. Such sign requires no permit and shall not count towards the total allowable sign area.
(2) Each manufactured home park may install up to a maximum of two (2) monument or free-standing area identification signs. Such signs shall comply with individual height and area requirements as defined herein and no sign shall be so constructed as to have more than two (2) sign faces. The location of such signs requires administrative approval from the city.
(3) Signage shall be subject to zoning code § 150.013 (Traffic Visibility).
(C) The following signs shall be allowed in the R-3 (Multiple Dwelling) District.
(1) One (1) address sign shall be required for each principal building. Such sign requires no permit and shall not count towards the total allowable sign area.
(2) One (1) nameplate or professional identification sign not exceeding four (4) square feet in area. Such sign requires no permit.
(3) One (1) wall or canopy/marquee/awning sign for each multi-family dwelling structure containing nine (9) or more units. Such sign shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area.
(4) Multi-family dwelling structures containing nine (9) or more units and residential developments consisting of ten (10) or more lots may install a monument area identification sign. The number of residential development area identification signs shall be based on the number of entrances to the development from arterial and collector streets as determined by the Zoning Administrator. Such signs shall not exceed thirty-six (36) square feet in area per face or six (6) feet in height and no sign shall be so constructed as to have more than two (2) sign faces. The location of such signs requires administrative approval from the city.
(5) Non-residential uses of residential property may be allowed signs as follows:
(a) One (1) wall sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet is allowed per street frontage, except that religious uses and public institutions may be allowed one (1) wall sign not exceeding seventy-five (75) square feet per street frontage. Religious uses and public institutions containing more than one principal structure or entity may be allowed one (1) wall sign not exceeding seventy-five (75) square feet per structure or entity per street frontage.
(b) One (1) monument sign shall be permitted per street frontage for each improved property regardless of how many separate non-residential uses are located on said property.
(6) All signs shall be setback a minimum of five (5) feet from any property line and no sign shall exceed six (6) feet in height as measured from the nearest finished grade to the highest limit of said sign.
(7) Signage shall be subject to zoning code § 150.013 (Traffic Visibility.)
(Ord. 395, passed 7-6-2010; Am. Ord. 419, passed 12-17-2013; Am. Ord. 452, passed 10-17-2017)
(A) The following signs shall be allowed in the B-1 (Central Business) District.
(1) One (1) address sign shall be required for each principal building. Such sign requires no permit and shall not count towards the total allowable sign area.
(2) Any combination of wall, monument, freestanding or canopy/marquee/awning signs as follows:
(a) No individual business shall place more than four (4) wall signs on the principal building in which it is located;
(b) One (1) monument or freestanding sign shall be permitted per street frontage for each improved property, regardless of how many separate businesses are located on the property. Such signs shall comply with individual height and area requirements as defined herein, and shall be allowed a zero (0) foot setback from all property lines, except it shall be twenty (20) feet from any property line abutting an R district;
(c) Canopy/marquee/awning signs as regulated herein. Only the portions of the canopy/marquee/awning with lettering or logos shall be counted towards the total allowable sign area;
(d) One (1) roof sign shall be permitted per building regardless of how many separate businesses are located within the building. Such signs shall comply with area requirements as defined herein.
(3) The total allowable sign area for properties within the B-1 District shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total gross silhouette area of the front wall of the principal building, except that properties with more than one (1) street frontage (including alleys) shall be permitted a total allowable sign area not to exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total gross silhouette area for each wall abutting a street frontage.
(4) The total allowable sign area for each business occupying a portion of a building shall correspond to its portion of the gross square footage of the building applied as a percentage to the total allowable sign area of the entire building.
(5) The GROSS SILHOUETTE shall be defined as that area within an outline drawing of the front of the building or storefront as may be applicable.
(6) In no case shall an individual sign exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area, nor shall two (2) or more signs be so arranged or integrated as to cause an advertising surface over two hundred (200) square feet in area.
(7) Gasoline pump island canopies shall be allowed three (3) signs in addition to those otherwise permitted on the principal structure. Canopy signs shall not exceed ten (10) feet in length or twenty (20) square feet in area each, and shall not be placed on the same side of the canopy. Such signs shall not count towards the total allowable sign area.
(8) One (1) sidewalk sign (sandwich board) shall be permitted on a public or private sidewalk as follows:
(a) Signage shall not obstruct free pedestrian passage on the sidewalk or create a safety hazard as determined by the Zoning Administrator. Further, a minimum of four (4) feet of sidewalk, as measured from the curb, shall remain free of signage;
(b) Signage shall not exceed ten (10) square feet in area per side and shall have a maximum of two (2) sides;
(c) Signage shall be located immediately in front of the place of business or along the primary pedestrian sidewalk for a business or business complex. Under no circumstance shall the signage be placed in the middle of a sidewalk or adjacent to the curb;
(d) Signage shall be maintained in a neat and orderly fashion;
(e) Signage shall be subject to zoning code § 150.013 (Traffic Visibility);
(f) Signage within the public right-of-way shall be removed from the sidewalk at the end of each business day;
(g) Signage may be removed by the city if it interferes with any city activity (i.e., snow removal, maintenance, safety);
(h) Any injury or damage caused by the placement of the sign in the public right-of-way shall be the sole liability and responsibility of the business owner and/or the owner of the sign; and
(i) Signage shall be allowed without a permit and shall not count towards the total allowable sign area.
(9) Dynamic display signs are permitted subject to the following regulations:
(a) The message may change no more often than every eight (8) seconds;
(b) The message must not continuously scroll or flash but shall remain constant for a minimum of eight (8) seconds; and
(c) The sign must be designed so as not to direct rays of light onto public right-of-way or adjacent property thereby creating a nuisance and potential safety hazard.
(10) Signage shall be subject to zoning code § 150.013 (Traffic Visibility).
(B) The following signs shall be allowed in the B-2 (General Business) District.
(1) One (1) address sign shall be required for each principal building. Such sign requires no permit and shall not count towards the total allowable sign area.
(2) Any combination of wall, monument, freestanding, pylon and canopy/marquee/awning (as regulated below) signs as follows:
(a) No individual business shall place more than four (4) wall signs on the principal building in which it is located, except that businesses with two (2) or more street frontages shall be allowed a maximum of five (5) wall signs;
(b) One (1) monument, freestanding and pylon sign shall be permitted per street frontage for each improved property regardless of how many separate businesses are located on the property. Such signs shall comply with individual height and area requirements as defined herein, and shall be setback a minimum of three (3) feet from all property lines; and/or
(c) Canopy/marquee/awning signs as regulated herein. Only the portions of the canopy/marquee/awning with lettering or logos shall be counted towards the total allowable sign area.
(3) The total allowable sign area for properties within the B-2 District shall be seven hundred (700) square feet.
(4) The total allowable sign area for each business occupying a portion of a building shall correspond to its portion of the gross square footage of the building applied as a percentage to the total allowable sign area of the entire building.
(5) The GROSS SILHOUETTE shall be defined as that area within an outline drawing of the front of the building or storefront as may be applicable.
(6) In no case shall an individual sign exceed two hundred (200) square feet in area, nor shall two (2) or more signs be so arranged or integrated as to cause an advertising surface over two hundred (200) square feet in area.
(7) Gasoline pump island canopies shall be allowed a maximum of three (3) signs in addition to those otherwise permitted on the principal structure. Canopy signs shall not exceed ten (10) feet in length or twenty (20) square feet in area each, and shall not be placed on the same side of the canopy. Such signs shall not count towards the total allowable sign area.
(8) Establishments having a drive-through lane shall be allowed a maximum of two (2) on-site menu boards in addition to those signs otherwise permitted on the property. Each menu board shall be limited to fifty (50) square feet in area.
(9) Independent of the total allowable sign area for individual businesses, shopping centers shall be allowed one (1) shopping center identification sign, not to exceed two hundred (200) square feet in area or thirty-five (35) feet in height. Such signs shall be limited to locations adjacent to major entrances abutting arterial streets.
(10) Dynamic display signs are permitted, subject to the following regulations:
(a) The message may change no more often than every eight (8) seconds;
(b) The message must not continuously scroll or flash, but shall remain constant for a minimum of eight (8) seconds; and
(c) The sign must be designed so as not to direct rays of light onto public right-of-way or adjacent property thereby creating a nuisance and potential safety hazard.
(11) Signage shall be subject to zoning code § 150.013 (Traffic Visibility).
(Ord. 395, passed 7-6-2010; Am. Ord. 419, passed 12-17-2013; Am. Ord. 452, passed 10-17-2017)
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