A. Purpose: This Appendix establishes regulations for the location, type, and size of signs permitted. Any sign not expressly permitted by this Appendix shall require a permit issued by the Administrator, after review by the PZC.
B. Sign Definitions:
AREA: The area of a sign shall be measured as the area of the smallest, straight-sided geometric figure that can be defined by and include the extreme limits of the copy or message (including graphics as well as text) on the sign. Contrasting frames or borders shall be measured as part of the copy or message.
AWNING: A fabric or plastic shelter supported by a noncombustible rigid framework attached to a building.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN: On-site directional signs are used to identify points of access, the direction of travel, and handicapped parking spaces, and to perform similar functions in off-street parking and loading areas. They include no advertising or promotional copy, but may include a log. Off-site directional signs identify and provide directions to an off-highway use. They include no advertising or promotional copy, but may include a logo.
GROUND SIGN: A freestanding sign that does not exceed eight feet (8') in height above grade.
HOME OCCUPATION SIGN: See Appendix B, Section 10-17-2 of this Chapter.
LOGO: A "logo" is simply graphic symbol used to identify a use.
NAMEPLATE: A wall sign that identifies the occupants and address of a building.
POLE SIGN: Freestanding signs that exceed eight feet (8') in height above grade.
PROJECTING SIGN: A "projecting sign" is attached to the wall of a building and projects away from that wall. Projecting signs may extend no more than seven feet (7') from the building wall, and may not extend to within two feet (2') of the near curb line. Projecting signs do not extend more than three feet (3') above the roof line of the building to which they are attached.
REPLACEMENT: For the purposes of this Appendix, the term "replacement" does not include the temporary removal of an existing sign for repair or refurbishment.
SIGN: See definition of Sign, Section 10-1-5 of this Title.
SUSPENDED SIGN: A sign attached to the ceiling of an arcade or canopy and hangs over a sidewalk with a vertical clearance of at least eight feet (8').
TEMPORARY SIGNS: Includes: 1) construction signs; 2) political signs placed no more than sixty (60) days before the election to which they relate and removed within ten (10) days after that election; 3) real estate signs; 4) window signs; and 5) other temporary signs displaced by commercial or industrial uses. All temporary signs displayed in commercial or industrial zoning districts must fit within the sign size permitted by this Appendix. A "construction sign" is a ground or wall sign that identifies a building under construction. Construction signs include no advertising or promotional copy, but identify the building's planned use, owners or operators, designers, construction contractors, and financiers. Construction signs shall be permitted for all nonresidential construction, but shall not exceed six (6) square feet in the RR Zoning Districts. A "political sign" promotes the election of a candidate or support for a political party or position. Political signs may be of any type, but are subject to the time and size limitations of subsection D3a(4) of this Section in the RR Zoning Districts. "Real estate signs" are wall, ground, or window signs which indicate that the property on which they are placed is for sale, lease, or rent. Real estate signs are subject to the limitations of subsection D3a(3) of this Section in the RR Zoning Districts. No temporary sign shall remain longer than one hundred eighty (180) days.
TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGN: Standard regulatory signs, including stop and yield signs, speed limit signs, etc.
WALL SIGN: Either painted directly on the wall of a building or directly attached to the wall of a building, and parallel with the wall to which they are attached. Directly attached wall signs shall protrude no more than eighteen inches (18") from the building to which they are attached. Wall signs do not extend above the roof line of the building to which they are attached.
WINDOW SIGN: "Wall signs" appear within the frame of and are affixed directly to a window. Window displays of merchandise are not signs, provided that no part of the display is affixed to the window.
C. Permit Requirements:
1. Permit Required: A development permit shall be required for the placement or installation of any sign, including the replacement of any existing sign, except as provided in subsection C2 of this Section. The location, type, and size of all proposed signs shall be included in applications.
2. Exceptions To Permit Requirement: The signs listed here are not exempt from any requirement of this Title, except the requirement for a permit. No permit shall be required for the placement or installation of:
a. Residential nameplates;
b. Temporary signs;
c. Traffic-control signs or public notices placed by public agencies; or
d. Window signs.
D. Performance Standards:
1. Placement Of Signs: No sign shall be placed:
a. In or over any public right of way, except as provided in subsection D2 of this Section;
b. On any tree, cliff, or other natural feature; or on a utility pole;
c. On a vehicle or trailer parked in a visible location for the primary purpose of displaying the sign; or
d. Where it creates a traffic safety hazard by obscuring traffic- control signs or signals, or obstructing vision at intersections or driveways.
2. Signs In Public Rights Of Way: No sign shall be permitted in any public right of way, except traffic-control signs and public notices placed by public agencies. No sign shall extend over a public right of way, except that awnings and projecting signs may extend up to seven feet (7') over a public sidewalk (measured from the face of the supporting building), but shall not extend to within more than two feet (2') of the near curb or property line. Suspended signs may extend over a public sidewalk that is covered by an arcade or canopy. Any awning or sign extending over a public sidewalk shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet (8').
3. Permitted Signs:
a. RR Zoning District: The following signs shall be permitted in the RR Zoning District:
(1) Traffic-control signs or public notices placed by public agencies.
(2) One nameplate of no more than six (6) square feet for each dwelling.
(3) One real estate sign, of no more than sixteen (16) square feet, for each lot or building currently offered for sale, lease, or rent.
(4) Political signs totaling no more than sixteen (16) square feet, provided that such signs are placed no more than sixty (60) days before the election to which they relate and removed within ten (10) days after the election.
(5) Home occupation signs, as permitted by Appendix B, Section 10-17-2 of this Chapter.
(6) Any dwelling may also display two (2) temporary signs, of no more than six (6) square feet each, announcing the short-term sale of used household goods (a garage or yard sale), provided those signs are placed no more than two (2) days before the sale and removed within one day after the sale, that the sale lasts no longer than three (3) days, and that no more than two (2) such sales are conducted at any one dwelling within any twelve (12) month period.
(7) Special permit use may display a single nameplate of no more than twenty four (24) square feet and directional and traffic- control signs of no more than six (6) square feet each, as necessary to ensure safe circulation.
b. AOCI Zoning District: The signs permitted in the AOCI Zoning District shall be as provided in Appendix A of the American Falls Development Code.
c. A, HI, LI, And C Zoning Districts: The following signs shall be permitted in all zoning districts except the RR and AOCI:
(1) Traffic-control signs or public notices placed by public agencies.
(2) For residences, the signs permitted in the RR Zoning District.
(3) On-site directional and traffic-control signs, as necessary to ensure safe circulation.
(4) Any combination of the following kinds of signs: wall signs, projecting signs, one ground or pole sign for each road frontage of no more than fifty feet (50') in height; and temporary signs.
(5) Awnings may display the name or logo of the owner or operator.
(6) Buildings with canopies or arcades may use one suspended sign or no more than four (4) square feet for each use or occupancy with access from the canopies area or arcade.
(7) Industrial and commercial uses may display two (2) off-site directional signs.
(8) Large off- and on-site billboards must conform to State and Federal guidelines and be approved by Power County PZC.
4. Illuminated Signs: Signs with a constant source of illumination shall be permitted in all zoning districts. No flashing, blinking, or moving signs are permitted. Spotlights or other fixtures used for the illumination of a sign shall be placed in compliance with the provisions of this Title prohibiting light or glare that constitutes a nuisance and shall not constitute a traffic hazard.
5. Identification Of Signs: All permanent signs shall bear a weatherproof label identifying the owner, including the owner's name, mailing address, and telephone number. Identification labels may be attached to the sign or its supporting structure.
6. Maintenance Of Signs: All signs and their supporting structures shall be maintained so as not to create a health or safety hazard.
7. Abandoned Signs: Abandoned signs shall be removed within sixty (60) days of the adoption of this Title, or within sixty (60) days of the abandonment of the use to which the sign is appurtenant. Abandonment shall not be a matter of the owner's intent, but shall be considered to occur whenever a use ceases operation for more than twelve (12) months. Any sign that is not structurally sound or that no longer serves to inform or attract the public shall be considered abandoned and its removal required. (Ord. 98-01, 7-18-1998)