Provisions relating to all types of signs erected in the Wamego Zoning Jurisdiction are as follows:
(a) Advertising signs call attention to an activity or product located on a different tract from the sign (See Article 3, Rules and Definitions). Advertising signs are permitted in the "C-1", "C-2", "I-1", and "I-2" Districts by right, and in the "PUD" District upon review and approval of the Planning Commission. In the "A-L" District, an advertising sign shall be allowed by special use permit only when submitted, reviewed, and approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals and under such conditions as the Board may impose:
(1) The advertising sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in area for a single- or double-faced sign; the bottom edge of the sign shall be at least three feet above the average ground level; and the top edge not higher than ten feet above the average ground level.
(2) The advertising sign shall not be located closer than 250 feet from two or more intersecting roads. Not more than one such sign shall be permitted on one road side within any one mile.
(3) An applicant for a special use permit to erect an advertising sign shall submit to the Board a plot plan showing the location, size, and construction details of the proposed sign installation; a letter from the property owner indicating intent to lease said property together with a copy of terms of said lease. Such permit shall be issued for a period of five years, and its renewal shall be subject to a review of the site and changed conditions within the surrounding area.
(b) Business signs call attention to an activity or product located on the tract upon which the sign is located (See Article 3 of this Title, Rules and Definitions). Business signs are permitted in the "C-S", "C-1", "C-2", "I-P", "I-1", and "I-2" Districts by right, and in the "PUD" and "C-3" Districts upon review and approval of the Planning Commission.
(c) The gross surface area on one side of an advertising or business sign shall not exceed the following limitations:
District | Formula | Maximum Area Possible |
“C-S”, “C-1", “C-2" | The square footage shall be no greater than three times the lineal feet of frontage of the lot occupied by the building. Each side of the lot which abuts upon a street shall be considered a separate frontage, and the gross surface area of all signs located on each side of a building shall not exceed three times the lineal feet of the separate frontage | 300 sq. ft. |
“I-1", “I-2" | (Same as above) | Not applicable |
“PUD”, “I-P” | Not applicable | 200 sq. ft. plus 20 sq. ft. for each additional business conducted on the site |
In all districts, individual letters with no background shall be measured by the minimum rectangular area necessary to encompass such letter or by a combination of rectangles as are necessary to encompass letters of irregular dimensions.
(d) Advertising or business signs in the "C-3" district shall conform to the following:
(1) Advertising signs shall have no more than two display surfaces. Each such display surface shall:
(A) Not contain any flashing lights.
(B) Be a flat plane, rectangular shape.
(C) Not exceed 49 square feet in sign area if a wall sign, nor 25 square feet if other than a wall sign.
(D) Not exceed seven feet in height or seven feet in length.
(2) Advertising signs shall contain no photographs, silhouettes, drawings or sexual representations of any kind.
(3) Each letter forming a word on an advertising sign shall be of a solid color, and each such letter shall be the same print-type, size and color. The background behind such lettering on the display surface of an advertising sign shall be of a uniform and solid color.
(e) Ground signs shall have a maximum height of eight feet in the "I-P" District.
(f) Building signs are permitted in the "A-L", "C-S", "C-1", "C-2", "I-P", "I-1", and "I-2" Districts by right (except as provided in divisions (o) and (p) below), and in the "PUD" District upon review and approval of the Planning Commission.
(1) The building sign shall be affixed flat against the face of the building as opposed to perpendicular and/or double faced.
(2) Building signs painted on the building surface are not allowed in the "I-P" District.
(3) Building signs in the “C-3" District shall conform to the following special requirements:
(A) Building signs shall have only one display surface. Such display surface shall:
(i) Be a flat plane, rectangular in shape.
(ii) Not exceed nine square feet in sign area.
(iii) Not exceed three feet in height or three feet in length.
(iv) Be affixed or attached to any wall or door of the establishment.
(v) The provisions of divisions (d)(2) and (d)(3) above shall also apply to building signs in the "C-3" District.
(g) Marquee and canopy signs are permitted in the "C-1", "C-2" and "C-S" Districts only. The sign must be mounted either on the front edge of the marquee or canopy, or suspended beneath (see division (j) below). Signs suspended beneath a marquee or canopy shall not exceed eight square feet in surface area and shall contain an announcement of the business name only. The lowest elevation shall always be no less than eight feet above the sidewalk surface. The canopy or marquee shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the Building Code of the city.
(h) A maximum of two business signs (only one on a facade) shall be allowed for a business or profession conducted on the premises in the "I-P", "I-1", "I-2", and "PUD" Districts. In the "C-S" District, a maximum of four business signs shall be allowed, except that an additional number of signs may be allowed in the "C-S" District by special use permit when submitted, reviewed, and approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals and under such conditions as the Board may impose.
(i) All signs in the "C-S", "I-1", and "I-2" Districts shall be affixed to or be a part of the building if within 50 feet of a residential district.
(j) Except as provided in division (f) above, no sign shall be permitted to overhang a road, street, or alley right-of-way, and no sign shall be located in a manner as to constitute a traffic hazard.
(k) Any sign, other than one affixed flat against the face of a building, which is located within three feet of a driveway or parking area or within 50 feet of the intersection of the centerlines of two or more streets, measured along the adjacent curb lines, shall have its lowest elevation at least ten feet above curb level to avoid creation of line-of-sight or other traffic-related obstructions.
(l) All lighted signs in direct vision of a traffic signal shall not be in red, green or amber illumination.
(m) Non-flashing, illuminated signs shall be permitted providing said sign shall not beam upon any street or any residential district, except as provided in divisions (t) and (u) below. Clocks and/or thermometers installed for public convenience and information are exempt from this requirement.
(n) Where a sign is illuminated by light directed upon it, the direct ray of light shall not beam upon any existing residential district, except as provided in divisions (t) and (u) below, or into any street.
(o) Flashing, moving, or animated signs are not permitted in the "I-P" and "C-3" Districts. In the "C-S" District, they are not permitted within 500 feet of a residential district or where the rays of light. from the sign beam upon any part of any residential district. In the "C-S" District, no high intensity strobe or flashing lights shall be permitted to be used with any sign or separately.
(p) In the "C-1", "C-2", "I-1", and "I-2" Districts, flashing, moving, or animated signs shall be permitted only upon approval of the City Building Inspector providing it is first determined that the location and colors will in no way create a traffic hazard or confusion with traffic lights and with lights on emergency vehicles and that direct rays of the sign will not be directed into any residential district.
(q) Electronic message board signs shall be considered as illuminated business signs and shall be subject to regulation as are other types of illuminated signage.
(r) Sandwich board signs are permitted in the "C-S", "I-1", and "I-2" Districts only, providing said sign is permanently affixed to the surface on which it rests.
(s) In the "C-1" zone all signage and sign components shall be a permanent part of the advertising display. Magnetic lettering or other temporary removable physical components are prohibited.
(t) Non-illuminated nameplates in the "A-L", "R-L", "R-M", "R-H", "R-1", “R-2", "R-3", and "PUD" Districts shall conform to the following restrictions:
(1) The nameplate shall not exceed three square feet in area.
(2) The nameplate shall show only the name and/or address of the occupant.
(u) Signage for strip malls and other multiple tenant buildings shall meet the following requirements:
(1) One illuminated business sign denoting the location name with a listing of business tenants within shall be permitted per street frontage. Such signage may be free-standing or may be affixed to the structure. Such permitted signage shall be subject to all other regulations for business signage.
(2) Each business in a multi-tenant building may utilize individual business signage provided such advertising display is permanently affixed flat against the face of the structure and complies with all other applicable signage regulations.
(v) Non-illuminated single- or double-faced "For Sale" and "For Rent" signs in the "R-L", "R-M", "R-1", "R-2", "R-3", and "PUD" Districts are subject to the following regulations.
(1) Only one sign shall be permitted per lot.
(2) No sign shall exceed four square feet in area.
(3) Signs shall be located no closer than five feet from any property line and shall not obstruct the view of traffic approaching a street intersection.
(4) When said sign is affixed to a building, it shall not project higher than ten feet above the ground level.
(5) Ground signs shall not project higher than four feet above ground grade.
(w) In the "A-L" District, only one non-illuminated "For Sale", "For Rent", or single- or double-faced business sign shall be permitted per residential building lot. Accessory business signs shall not exceed 50 square feet.
(x) Bulletin boards and signs for churches and other public institutions in the "R-L", "R-M", "R-H", "R-1", "R-2", "R-3", and "PUD" Districts are subject to the following regulations:
(1) One sign or bulletin board shall be permitted on each street side if located on the same site as the principal building.
(2) If the sign or bulletin board is illuminated, the lights shall be directed away from adjoining residential uses.
(3) No sign or bulletin board shall exceed 24 square feet in area.
(4) No sign shall be located closer than eight feet from any side or rear property line.
(5) A sign or bulletin board located in the front yard shall be no closer to the street line than one-half the required front yard.
(6) A sign or bulletin board, affixed to a building, shall not project higher than ten feet above the ground level.
(7) Ground signs shall be permanently anchored to the ground and shall not exceed a height of six feet above normal grade.
(8) Buildings constructed on the property line prior to the adoption of this Title shall be allowed one identification sign providing said sign is a flat wall sign and permanently attached to the building.
(y) Signage for manufactured home parks and multi-family developments must meet the following requirements:
(1) Only one business sign per street frontage shall be permitted.
(2) No business sign shall exceed 40 square feet in area for each face.
(3) Any number of informational and directional signs shall be permitted and shall contain no advertising or solicitation.
(4) All signs may be illuminated, either directly, indirectly, or internally, providing direct beams of light do not shine off the site or into any building on the site.
(5) Ground signs shall not exceed ten feet in height.
(z) Temporary signs, whether illuminated or non-illuminated, are permitted in the “A-L", “C-S", "C-1", "C-2", "I-P", “I-1", and "I-2" Districts by right, and as provided in division (r) above, and in the “PUD" District if approved by the City Building Official.
(1) Only one such sign shall be permitted per location.
(2) Temporary signs shall not exceed 45 square feet of surface area.
(3) No temporary sign, except on approval by the Governing Body, shall extend over or into any street, alley, sidewalk, or other public thoroughfare. It shall not obstruct any wall opening.
(4) Every temporary sign shall be secured to prevent movement or overturning, in a manner approved by the Building Official.
(5) All electrical cords to such signs shall be located so as not to expose them to physical damage. No such electrical cord shall be laid upon any sidewalk, driveway, or parking lot. All such wiring shall be subject to the electrical code of the city.
(6) Temporary signs shall not exceed six feet in height and shall be so located so as to avoid creation of line-of-sight or other traffic-related obstructions.
(aa) Private informational and directional signs shall contain no advertising or solicitation and are subject to the following provisions (except as provided in division (v) above).
(1) Where a sign is illuminated by light directed upon it, the direct rays of light shall not beam upon any part of any residential district or into any street.
(2) Lighted signs in direct vision of traffic shall not be in red, green, or amber illumination.
(3) Flashing signs shall not be allowed.
(4) Only one sign shall be permitted per location.
(5) Signs shall not exceed 32 square feet of surface area for each face.
(6) No private informational or directional sign, except on approval by the Governing Body, shall extend over or into any street, alley, or sidewalk or other public thoroughfare. It shall not obstruct any wall opening.
(7) Any sign, other than one affixed flat against the face of the building and located within three feet of a driveway or parking area or within 50 feet of the intersection of two or more streets, measured along the adjacent curb line, shall have the lowest elevation at least ten feet above the curb level to avoid line-of-sight or other traffic-related obstructions.
(bb) Signage placed upon a public sidewalk is permissible in the C-1: Retail Business District only, and is subject to the following requirements:
(1) A sign permit has been obtained from the city in accordance with the Wamego Zoning Ordinance Sign Regulations, and the applicant has submitted proof of liability insurance covering the sign on city sidewalk, to be maintained for the period that the sign remains on the city sidewalk.
(2) Only one sidewalk sign per street frontage shall be permitted.
(3) The sign may be placed on the sidewalk during the hours of operation of the adjoining establishment, and within four feet of the property line (usually the front of the building).
(4) The text of the sign may only promote goods, services or activities offered within the adjoining establishment, except that signage promoting such offerings at a location other than the adjoining establishment shall be permissible upon review and approval of the Wamego Body.
(5) The height of the sign is limited to five feet and the minimum height is three feet so as to avoid the sign becoming a trip hazard. The maximum area of each sign face shall not exceed nine square feet.
(6) Signage placed near street intersections is subject to the "vision triangle" provisions found under § 17-303, unless a permanent building or other permanent obstruction already blocks traffic visibility.
(7) The sign may not contain illumination or animation, except that illuminated signs shall be permissible upon review and approval of the Wamego Governing Body. Approved illuminated signs must have a self-contained power source, e.g. battery or solar.
(8) Every sidewalk sign shall be secured to prevent movement or overturning, in a manner approved by the Building Official.