Section
157.001 Introductory provisions
157.002 Definitions
157.003 Sign permits
157.004 General sign regulations
157.005 Sign area and location regulation
157.006 Standards for permanent signs
157.007 Multitenant buildings
157.008 Standards for nonpermanent signs
157.009 Prohibited signs
157.010 Exemptions
157.011 Nonconforming signs
157.012 Abandoned signs
157.013 Enforcement
157.014 Variances
157.015 Substitution clause
157.016 Severability
(A) Purpose. It is not the purpose or intent of this chapter to regulate the message displayed on any sign; nor is it the purpose or intent of this chapter to regulate any building design or any display not defined as a sign, or any sign which cannot be viewed from outside a building. The purpose and intent of this chapter is to:
(1) Regulate the number, location, size, type, illumination, and other physical characteristics of signs within the city in order to promote the public health, safety, and welfare.
(2) Maintain, enhance, and improve the aesthetic environment of the city by preventing visual clutter that is harmful to the appearance of the community.
(3) Improve the visual appearance of the city while providing for effective means of communication, consistent with constitutional guarantees and the city’s goals of public safety and aesthetics.
(4) Provide for fair and consistent enforcement of the sign regulations set forth herein under the zoning authority of the city.
(5) Ensure adequate means of expression as allowed by the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution and other federal, state, and local laws.
(6) Minimize hazards caused by signs that are structurally unsound, interfere with sightlines or unduly distract drivers, pedestrians, or bicyclists.
(B) Applicability. Any sign visible from a public street erected, altered, or maintained after the effective date of this ordinance shall conform to the regulations in this chapter.
(C) Interpretation.
(1) The provisions of this chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion and protection of the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare.
(2) When any condition imposed by any provision of this chapter is either more restrictive or less restrictive than similar conditions imposed by any provision of any other applicable law, Municipal Code provision, statute, resolution, or regulation of any kind, the more restrictive one which imposes higher standards or requirements shall prevail.
(3) Any sign type determined by staff not identified by this code may be considered by the Planning Commission at a regular meeting and its recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for review and action.
(Ord. 806, passed 7-26-2022)
The following terms, as used in this chapter, shall have the meanings stated. All measured distances expressed in feet shall be to the nearest tenth of a foot. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AWNING SIGN. A building sign attached to, affixed to, or painted on an awning.
BANNER SIGN. A sign made of fabric or other similar nonrigid material with no enclosing framework or electrical components that is supported or anchored on two or more edges or at all four corners.
BENCH SIGN. A sign attached to a bench located on the street and designed for seating while waiting at a bus stop.
BILLBOARD. (Prohibited). An off-premises sign intended by the sign owner to be available for sale, lease, or rental for the purpose of promoting any commercial activity which is not situated on the same property as the billboard or of promoting any product or service which is not primarily available on the same property as the billboard; and incidentally used for the display of public service messages.
BUILDING SIGN. A building sign is attached to or supported by a building whether it is the wall, window, or roof of the building. This sign type includes awning, canopy, marquee, projecting, roof, and wall signs.
CANOPY SIGN. A building sign attached to, affixed to, or painted on a canopy.
DWELLING, MULTIFAMILY. A residential structure containing three or more dwelling units.
DWELLING, SINGLE FAMILY. A detached residential structure that is designed for or occupied by one family only.
DWELLING, TWO FAMILY. A residential structure containing two dwelling units.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER (EMC). A sign that can display words, symbols, figures, or images that can be electronically changed by remote or automatic means.
FEATHER SIGN. A nonpermanent sign made of lightweight materials that is prone to move in the wind, and that contains a harpoon-style pole or staff that is driven into the ground or supported by means of an individual stand.
FLAG. Any fabric or flexible material attached to or designed to be flown from a flagpole or other similar structure.
FREESTANDING SIGN. A sign on a frame, pole, or other, support structure not attached to any building. This sign type includes pylon, post and arm, and monument signs.
INFLATABLE (AIR ACTIVATED) SIGN. (Prohibited). A nonpermanent sign typically made of plastic, cloth, canvas, or other light fabric, inflated with air, and held upright, typically by mechanical means.
INTERNAL WAYFINDING. A sign used to aid customers in circulation within parking areas for multifamily or nonresidential uses. These signs could come in the form of monument, pylon, post and arm, or wall sign types.
MARQUEE SIGN. Any building sign attached to a marquee, a permanent roof-like structure projecting beyond a building or extending along and projecting beyond the wall of the building, generally designed and constructed to provide protection from the weather.
MONUMENT SIGN. A freestanding sign supported primarily by an internal structural framework or integrated into landscaping or other solid structural features other than support poles.
NONPERMANENT SIGN. A sign structure or device that is easily installed and removed and is not intended or suitable for permanent display due to the construction, materials, placement, or installation.
NONRESIDENTIAL USE. Any land use that is not a residential use.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN. (Prohibited). A sign whose message is unrelated to the premises or the activity and use occurring on the premises on which the sign is located.
ON-PREMISES SIGN. A sign whose message is related to the premises or the activity and use occurring on the premises on which the sign is located.
PERMANENT SIGN. A sign structure that is intended for permanent display due to the construction, materials, placement, or installation. See also building and freestanding sign definitions.
POST AND ARM SIGN. A type of freestanding sign supported by a post and arm.
PROJECTING SIGN. A type of building sign extending outward from the face of the building.
RESIDENTIAL USE. See dwelling, multifamily, dwelling, single family, and dwelling, two family.
ROOF SIGN. Any single or double-faced signs mounted upon the roof of a building. This also includes signs painted or displayed directly upon the roof surface.
ROTATING SIGN. (Prohibited). A sign that revolves, rotates, or mechanically moves.
SIGN. A device, structure, or fixture which communicates a message using words, graphics, letters, figures, symbols, trademarks, or other visual representations. Painted wall designs or patterns are not considered signs.
SIGN FACE. The sign face is that portion of a sign upon which the message, advertisement or similar display is presented, as distinguished from the structural members.
WALL SIGN. A building sign mounted flat against a wall or painted on the wall of a building or structure with the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the face of the wall.
WINDOW SIGN. A sign posted, painted, placed, or affixed to the interior or exterior of a window.
(Ord. 806, passed 7-26-2022; Am. Ord. 812, passed 1-17-2023)
(A) Applicability. Permanent sign structures shall require a sign permit in all districts.
(B) Application.
(1) A sign permit application shall be submitted for all signs requiring a permit.
(2) All sign permit applications shall be accompanied by a permit fee according to the adopted fee schedule.
(3) A sign permit application shall be accompanied by the following items:
(a) A site plan and/or building elevations showing the position, height, and dimensions of the sign(s) in relation to all nearby existing or proposed buildings, structures, and property lines.
(b) Written consent of the property owner of the building or site upon which a sign is to be erected, constructed, or maintained.
(c) Such other information as the Zoning Administrator requires to show full compliance with this and all other laws and ordinances of the city.
(C) Review. Sign permits are reviewed administratively by the Zoning Administrator with a determination made within 30 days from the time an application has been deemed complete.
(D) Appeals.
(1) Applicants wishing to appeal a determination by the Zoning Administrator shall do so in writing within 30 days of said determination.
(2) Appeals from the Zoning Administrator’s determination shall be heard by the Board of Appeals and Adjustment and a recommendation made to City Council.
(3) The Board of Appeals and Adjustment shall consider the appeal within 45 days of filing of said appeal by the applicant.
(E) Nullification. A sign permit shall become null and void if the work for which the permit was issued has not been completed within a period of six months after the date of the permit. A permit may be renewed and no additional fee shall be collected for the renewal.
(F) Revocation. The city may revoke a permit when a sign is in violation of this chapter or any other ordinance in the City of North Saint Paul. Any signs installed under a revoked permit shall be removed within ten days of written notice of the revocation.
(Ord. 806, passed 7-26-2022)
(A) Applicability. All permanent and nonpermanent signs, except official traffic and street signs, shall conform to the provisions of this section and any other ordinance or regulations of the city.
(B) Sign area measurement.
(1) The area within the sign frame shall be used to calculate the square footage.
(2) The area without a sign frame shall be determined by drawing a box around the outermost periphery of letters or graphics. The square footage shall be that of the box surrounding the letters or graphics.
(3) Each side of a double-faced sign shall be considered in determining the total display surface area.
(C) Sign height measurement. The height of a sign shall be measured from the existing grade, or, if elevations of the centerline of the nearest frontage street are provided by the sign applicant, this point of elevation may be used rather than the existing grade.
(D) Setbacks. Unless specifically noted otherwise, all permanent freestanding signs shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from any property line and a minimum of five feet from any parking area or driveway. The city may require a greater or lesser setback due to public safety reasons, which may include the following conditions. vehicle sight distance, distance from intersection, designation of adjacent right-of-way.
(E) Placement.
(1) No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger pedestrians, bicyclists, or traffic on a street by obscuring the view or by interfering with official street signs or signals.
(2) No sign may be located within a vision triangle as depicted in Chapter 154, Appendix B, Figure 22
.
(3) Signs and their supporting structures shall not interfere with any surface and underground utility or communications lines or equipment.
(4) No sign shall be mounted on chimneys, rooftop equipment, towers, cooling towers, elevator penthouses, commercial antennas, communication towers, belfries, church spires and cupolas.
(5) No sign shall be pasted or attached to utility poles, trees, fences, or other signs.
(6) No sign shall be pasted or attached to city property or equipment without permission from the governing body and shall be subject to all related laws and ordinances.
(F) Materials and construction.
(1) All signs shall be constructed of durable materials using noncorrosive fastenings.
(2) All signs shall be constructed in such a manner and of such material to be considered safe and substantial.
(3) All signs and supporting structures shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressure of not less than 40 pounds per square foot of area.
(4) Signs which utilize electricity must meet the following provisions.
(a) Be installed in accordance with the current applicable electrical code.
(b) All necessary electrical and building permits must be obtained prior to placement.
(c) Electrical service to freestanding signs shall be underground.
(d) Exposed wiring or conduit shall not be allowed.
(e) All work shall be completed by an electrical contractor licensed by the State of Minnesota.
(G) External lighting.
(1) Lighting must be directed at the sign and must be shielded (not be visible to pedestrians, motorists, or neighboring residents or businesses).
(2) Lighted signs shall be no closer than 20 feet from the nearest residential property and shall be illuminated only by white or amber light, unless specifically allowed elsewhere in this chapter.
(H) Maintenance.
(1) All signs and components thereof shall be kept in good repair and in safe, neat, clean, and attractive condition and in compliance with all applicable building code requirements.
(2) All permanent signs shall be properly painted including all parts and supports of the sign unless such parts or supports are galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust.
(3) Any sign which becomes structurally unsafe or endangers the safety of a building or premises, or endangers the public safety, shall be considered a public nuisance and shall repaired or removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure, or land upon which the sign is located within ten days after written notification from the Zoning Administrator.
(Ord. 806, passed 7-26-2022; Am. Ord. 812, passed 1-17-2023)
(A) Applicability. The following district regulations and sign standards are applicable to all permanent and nonpermanent sign types.
Sign Types | Land Uses | |||
Sign Types | Land Uses | |||
Permanent | Single-Family | Two-Family | Multifamily | Nonresidential |
Awning | NA | NA | Allowed | Allowed |
Canopy | NA | NA | Allowed | Allowed |
Electronic Message Center | NA | NA | NA | Allowed |
Freestanding | NA | NA | Allowed | Allowed |
Internal Wayfinding | NA | NA | Allowed | Allowed |
Marquee | NA | NA | NA | Allowed |
Projecting | NA | NA | NA | Allowed |
Roof | NA | NA | NA | Allowed |
Wall | NA | NA | Allowed | Allowed |
Nonpermanent (all types)* | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
Notes: NA means “not allowed.” | ||||
(C) Sign dimensional standards. The dimensions listed below represent the maximum aggregate square footage of all permanent sign faces on a site based on the land use and zoning district.
Sign Types | Land Uses | |||
Sign Types | Land Uses | |||
Permanent | Single-Family | Two-Family | Multifamily | Nonresidential |
R-1 | NA | NA | NA | 60 SF |
R-2 | NA | NA | 32 SF | 60 SF |
R-3 | NA | NA | 60 SF | 60 SF |
MU-1 | NA | NA | 60 SF | 250 SF |
MU-2 | NA | NA | 60 SF | 250 SF |
MU-3 | NA | NA | 60 SF | 300 SF |
Nonpermanent (all types)* | ||||
R-1 | 32 SF | 32 SF | NA | 60 SF |
R-2 | 32 SF | 32 SF | 32 SF | 60 SF |
R-3 | 32 SF | 32 SF | 60 SF | 60 SF |
MU-1 | 32 SF | 32 SF | 60 SF | 250 SF |
MU-2 | 32 SF | 32 SF | 60 SF | 250 SF |
MU-3 | 32 SF | 32 SF | 60 SF | 300 SF |
Notes: NA means “not allowed.” | ||||
(Ord. 806, passed 7-26-2022)
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