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(A) Scope. The regulations and provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to the construction, establishment or addition of any new sign, sign structure or sign face, whether on-site or off-site, as well as to the relocation, enlargement, extension, reconstruction, replacement, maintenance or continuance of any existing sign, sign structure or sign face. These regulations shall be applicable within any existing or new development area of the city, as well as within any area newly annexed to the city. Nothing herein shall require any change or modification to any signage lawfully established or constructed prior to the effective date of this section, except as provided in division (C) below of this section and § 154-17.05(E) of this chapter.
(Ord. O2010-09, passed 2-3-2010)
(B) Responsibility. The duty to erect and maintain signage in the manner specified herein shall be the responsibility of the owner and/or occupant(s) of the property upon which the signage is located.
(Ord. O2010-09, passed 2-3-2010)
(C) Nonconforming signage. Any sign or sign structure lawfully existing prior to the effective date of this chapter, whether on-site or off-site and not meeting the standards and requirements specified herein, shall be considered nonconforming and be subject to the following provisions.
(1) Continuance. The lawful use of any nonconforming sign or sign structure may be continued indefinitely, provided, however, that any addition, enlargement or other alteration which would increase the degree of nonconformity shall be prohibited. Any nonconforming sign or sign structure which is abandoned for a period exceeding one year shall be subject to the requirements of § 154-17.05(E) of this chapter pertaining to removal of abandoned signage.
(2) Repairs and alterations. Repairs and alterations which do not increase the degree of nonconformity shall be permitted, except that if any sign or structure is damaged or has deteriorated to an extent that the cost of repair equals 50% of its replacement value if sound, or if the cost of alteration exceeds 50% of the replacement value, it shall either be rebuilt or replaced in conformance with the standards and requirements of this chapter, or be removed altogether.
(3) Replacement of on-site signage. At such time as the name of an activity changes, any nonconforming on-site signage related to such activity shall either be replaced or modified to meet the requirements of this chapter, unless such signage was previously constructed with interchangeable panels, letters or copy. An act of maintenance or repair, or repainting a previously painted sign face, or repapering a previously papered sign or other similar manner of changing a sign face, none of which would increase the degree of nonconformity, shall not be deemed as replacement hereunder and shall be permitted.
(Ord. O2010-09, passed 2-3-2010)
(D) Conflict and severability.
(1) Where an action or requirement pertaining to signage is specified by more than one section of the zoning ordinance, or by another ordinance or regulation as may be adopted by the city, or by another state or federal law or regulation where applicable, such action or requirement shall be dictated by the applicable provisions of such regulations. In cases of overlap between ordinances, regulations or laws, the more restrictive provisions shall control.
(2) If any section, sentence, phrase or other portion of this chapter is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional for any reason, such portions shall be deemed as separate, distinct and independent provisions, and such holdings shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter.
('80 Code, App. A, § 161) (Ord. 583, passed 9-16-1952; Ord. 2193, passed 3-21-1984; Ord. 2243, passed 12-19-1984; Ord. O2010-09, passed 2-3-2010)
(E) Message substitution clause. Subject to the consent of the property owner or person in control or possession of the property, a noncommercial message of any type may be substituted for all or part of the commercial or noncommercial message on any sign allowed under this chapter. No special or additional approval is required to substitute a noncommercial message for any other message on an allowable sign, provided the sign structure is already approved or exempt from the approval requirement and no structural or electrical change is made. When a noncommercial message is substituted for any other message, however, the sign is still subject to the same design, locational and structural regulations (e.g., color, materials, size, height, illumination, maintenance, duration of display and the like), as well as all building and electrical code requirements, as would apply if the sign were used to display a commercial message. In the event of any perceived or actual conflict between the general provisions of this division and any other specific provisions in this chapter, the provisions of this division shall prevail.
(Ord. O2008-05, passed 2-20-2008)
(F) Sign face area.
(1) Where a sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the sign area, except that only one face of a double-faced sign shall be considered where the angle between faces does not exceed 30 degrees.
(2) Where the sign is a statue or similar three-dimensional figure, the sign area shall be the sum of the four vertical rectangular faces of the smallest polyhedron that entirely encloses such statue or figure.
(Ord. O2012-18, passed 10-3-2012)
(Ord. O2010-32, passed 7-7-2010)
On-site signage shall be permitted within any zoning district, subject to the general requirements of this chapter and the design standards as specified in this section.
(A) Address/nameplates. One address and nameplate not exceeding one square foot in area shall be allowed as a matter of right for any building within any zoning district, and shall be in addition to the maximum sign areas specified herein.
(B) Freestanding signage on shared premises. Where more than one user shares the same premises, not more than one permanent freestanding, on-site sign shall be allowed for each street upon which the premises front, in accordance with the design standards as specified herein.
(C) Standards and criteria for permanent on-site signage.
(1) Any permanent on-site signage proposed for installation shall conform with the standards and criteria indicated in Table No. 5. The number of any permanent on-site sign structures and the amount of any permanent on-site sign face area which already exists on any given premises shall be counted in accordance with these standards and criteria when determining the amount of permanent signage which may be added.
(Ord. O2010-09, passed 2-3-2010)
(2) Monument sign. A freestanding sign, where the entire bottom of the sign is affixed to the ground, provides a solid and continuous background for the sign face from the ground to the top of the sign, which is detached from a building, and the support structure is a base constructed of a permanent material. The height of any monument base or other structure erected to support or ornament the sign shall be measured as part of the sign height. The sign shall be clad to the ground with a base not less than 75% of the total sign width. The height of the structure erected to support or ornament the sign shall be measured as part of the sign height. To encourage design flexibility, the maximum height of the sign may be lowered in order to decrease required setback from the street. No signs shall be permitted within visibility sight triangles. Low profile signs shall be setback, at a minimum, from the property line as follows:
(a) | Over 6 feet in height | 12-feet setback; |
(b) | 4 feet to 6 feet in height | 6-feet setback; and |
(c) | 4 feet or less in height | 2-feet setback. |
(3) Electronic message sign. Such signage shall be allowed subject to the sign regulations for each zoning district and subject to the following regulations:
a. Electronic message signs may display non-commercial messages or messages advertising on-site establishments. Messages displaying off-site commercial messages are prohibited.
b. The message or image of the electronic message sign may be static or change at specific or programmed time intervals. The change in message or images shall occur no more frequently than once every eight (8) seconds and shall not have fade or dissolve transitions, or full animation or video, or similar subtle transitions or frame effect that have the appearance of moving text or images. The transition from one message to the next shall be completed with one (1) second.
c. The electrical illumination of electronic message signs between dusk and dawn, shall be reduced to a maximum illumination of 342 NITS.
d. Electronic message signs shall be calculated towards the permitted sign area of the subject zoning district.
e. No electronic message sign shall be oriented to face a residentially zoned property.
(Ord. O2022-044, passed 9-21-2022)
Table No. 5 - Standards and Criteria for Permanent On-Site Signage | ||||||
Zoning District | Type of Sign/ Installation | Max. Total Area of All Sign Face(s) | Max. Area of Any Sign Face | Max. Number of Signs | Maximum Height | |
Within Street Setback | Outside of Street Setback | |||||
Table No. 5 - Standards and Criteria for Permanent On-Site Signage | ||||||
Zoning District | Type of Sign/ Installation | Max. Total Area of All Sign Face(s) | Max. Area of Any Sign Face | Max. Number of Signs | Maximum Height | |
Within Street Setback | Outside of Street Setback | |||||
AG | F-S and W-M | 24 sq. ft. | 12 sq. ft. | 1 each of each sign type per street frontage | F-S: 6 ft. W-M: n/a | F-S: 12 ft. W-M: (1) |
SR, RE, R-1, R-2 R-3, MH, RVS and R-MH | F-S and W-M | 2 sq. ft. per dwelling unit | 2 sq. ft. | 1 per dwelling unit | F-S: 4 ft. W-M: n/a | F-S: 6 ft. W-M: (1) |
50 sq. ft. per development | 50 sq. ft. | 2 per entrance | ||||
24 sq. ft. for each non- residential use | 24 sq. ft. | 1 of each sign per street frontage | ||||
TR | F-S | 50 sq. ft. for each non- residential use | 50 sq. ft. | 1 per street frontage | (c) (d) | |
W-M | 24 sq. ft. per building | 24 sq. ft. | 1 per tenant | n/a | (1) | |
U-C | 2 sq. ft. per door entrance | 2 sq. ft. | 1 per door | n/a | (2) | |
PSC, B-1 and I-P | F-S | 1 sq. ft. per 1 ln. ft. of street address frontage | 300 sq. ft. | 1 per street frontage | (c) (d) | |
B-2, L-I and H-I | F-S | 1 sq. ft. per 1 ln. ft. of street frontage upon which the sign is located (a) (b) | 300 sq. ft. | 1 per street frontage | (c) (d) | |
PSC, B-1, B-2, I-P, L-I and H-I | W-M | 15% of each building facade | 300 sq. ft. | n/a | n/a | (1) |
U-C | 4 sq. ft. per front entrance | 4 sq. ft. | 1 per front entrance | n/a | (1) | |
Public Overlay | F-S and W- M | 150 sq. ft. | F-S: 50 sq. ft. W-M: 100 sq. ft. | F-S: 1 per street frontage W-M: 1 per street frontage | 4 ft. | 19 ft. |
Minimum Street Yard Setback - 12' | ||||||
R-3, MH, RVS | Development which adjoins an interstate highway or prime arterial, one additional freestanding on site sign shall be permitted outside of the minimum required street yard setback, with a maximum sign face area of one square foot per one linear of interstate or area frontage, up to a maximum of 300 square feet, and with a maximum 35 foot sign height. | |||||
Table No. 5 Legend: | ||||||
(1) Wall-mounted signage shall not extend beyond the height of the roofline. | ||||||
(2) Maximum height not applicable; however, a minimum 7 ft. vertical clearance shall be required from walking grade to the bottom of the sign. | ||||||
F-S Freestanding sign | ||||||
W-M Wall-mounted sign | ||||||
U-C Under-canopy sign | ||||||
n/a not applicable | ||||||
sq. ft. Square foot | ||||||
Footnotes: Table No. 5 and Table No. 6 | ||||||
(a) In the event that more than one sign is erected on a parcel with more than one street frontage as permitted herein, a minimum space shall be required between signs equal to one-half the length of the total street frontage. The spacing shall be measured along the street lines. In no event shall more than one permanent freestanding, on-site sign be erected on any street frontage, except as provided herein. | ||||||
(b) A freestanding, on-site sign structure may be erected at the corner of any lot or parcel under one of the following options: | ||||||
1. One corner sign with a maximum sign face area equal to the sum of the two intersecting street frontages, up to 300 square feet maximum, provided, however, that no other freestanding, on-site sign shall be erected along either of the two intersecting frontages; or | ||||||
2. One corner sign with a maximum sign face area equal to either of the two intersecting frontages, up to 300 square feet maximum, provided, however, that no other freestanding, on-site sign shall be erected along whichever frontage is used for calculation purposes. | ||||||
In the event that a lot or parcel has more than two street frontages, a freestanding, on-site sign may be erected on each resultant corner, provided that the total number of such signs shall not exceed the total number of street frontages, and in no event shall any street frontage be counted more than once for the purpose of calculating the maximum allowable sign face area. Corner signs shall also be subject to all other design standards and requirements of this chapter, such as height, setback, spacing between on-site signs on the same parcel, shared premises, and the like, as may be applicable. | ||||||
(c) A 12 foot setback from the leading edge of the sign to the street right-of-way line, shall be required for free-standing signs which have a vertical clearance of less than eight feet. The support structure for free-standing signs which have a vertical clearance of eight feet or greater, shall be setback 12 feet from the street right-of-way line; provided, however, that no sign face shall be setback less than two feet from the street right-of-way line. | ||||||
(d)
The maximum allowable sign height shall be determined according to the sliding scale indicated in Table No. 7, which specifies a maximum 20 foot height for a 50 square foot sign face area, up to a maximum 35 foot height for a 300 square foot sign face area. Within this range, sign height may be increased by six hundredths (.06) foot for each square foot of additional sign face area permitted by this chapter. The scale in Table No.7 is calculated according to the following formula: | ||||||
Sign Height = (X-50) x (.06) + 20, where X = the proposed sign face area | ||||||
(Ord. 2314, passed 4-16-1986; Ord. O2000-55, passed 8-2-2000; Ord. O2010-09, passed 2-3-2010; Ord. O2017-014, passed 5-3-2017; Ord. O2022-044, passed 9-21-2022)
(D) Temporary signage. Any temporary signage proposed for installation shall conform with the standards and criteria indicated in Table No. 6 and the footnotes.
(Ord. O2017-014, passed 5-3-2017)
(1) Standards and criteria for temporary signage per Table No. 6 (also see footnotes).
(2) In no event shall any temporary signage be erected more than 60 days prior to, nor be allowed to remain more than ten days after, the date of the activity, event or other temporary condition to which the sign relates. For the purposes of this division, the measurement of time shall not include such date or period of the activity, event or other temporary condition.
(3) Lighting for temporary sign installations shall be prohibited.
Zoning District | Type of Sign/ Installation | Max. Area of Any Sign Face | Max. # of Signs | Maximum Height | |
Within Street Setback | Outside Street Setback | ||||
Zoning District | Type of Sign/ Installation | Max. Area of Any Sign Face | Max. # of Signs | Maximum Height | |
Within Street Setback | Outside Street Setback | ||||
AG | Freestanding; Wall-mounted | 32 sq. ft. | 1 per street frontage | 6 ft. | 12 ft. |
SR, RE R-1, R-2 R-3, MH and R-MH | Freestanding; Wall-mounted | 10 sq. ft. (less than 1 acre) | 1 per lot or parcel | 6 ft. | 6 ft. |
32 sq. ft. (1 acre or more) | 1 per street frontage | 6 ft. | 8 ft. | ||
TR | Freestanding; Wall-mounted | 32 sq. ft. | 1 per street frontage | 6 ft. | 8 ft. |
B-1, B-2, PSC, I-P, L-I and H-I | Freestanding | 100 sq. ft | 1 per street frontage | A distance below the uppermost line of the wall upon which mounted, equal to one-half the vertical dimension of sign | |
Wall-mounted | 32 sq. ft. | 1 per building facade | |||
Table No. 7 - Sign Area and Sign Height | |
Permitted Sign Face Area (sq. ft) | Allowable Sign Height (ft.) |
Table No. 7 - Sign Area and Sign Height | |
Permitted Sign Face Area (sq. ft) | Allowable Sign Height (ft.) |
150 | 26 |
160 | 26.6 |
170 | 27.2 |
180 | 27.8 |
190 | 28.4 |
200 | 29 |
210 | 29.6 |
220 | 30.2 |
230 | 30.8 |
240 | 31.4 |
250 | 32 |
260 | 32.6 |
270 | 33.2 |
280 | 33.8 |
290 | 34.4 |
300 | 35 |
(E) Directional signage. Signage provided for the sole purpose of traffic circulation and direction on the premises shall be permitted within any zoning district in the amount of ten square feet per street entrance, and shall be permitted in addition to the maximum on-site sign areas specified herein. Directional signage shall not exceed three feet in height, and shall maintain a minimum two foot setback from the street right-of-way line.
('80 Code, App. A, § 161) (Ord. 583, passed 9-16-1952; Ord. 2314, passed 4-16-1986; Ord. 2533, passed 9-4-1991; Ord. O95-040, passed 9-5-1995; Ord. O2002-46, passed 8-7-2002; Ord. O2010-09, passed 2-3-2010; Ord. O2011-05, passed 2-16-2011; Ord. O2017-014, passed 5-3-2017; Ord. O2022- 044, passed 9-21-2022) Penalty, see § 154-999
(F) Signage examples. The following are illustrative examples.
Examples Of Monument Signs
Examples Of Pedestal Signs
Examples Of Pole Signs
('80 Code, App. A, § 161) (Ord. 583, passed 9-16-1952; Ord. 2193, passed 3-21-1984; Ord. 2243, passed 12-19-1984; Ord. O2010-09, passed 2-3-2010; Ord. O2010-32, passed 7-7-2010; Ord. O2022-044, passed 9-21-2022) Penalty, see § 154-999
Off-site signage shall be permitted in accordance with the specific standards and criteria set forth in this section, as well as with the additional requirements and provisions of this chapter pertaining to all signage.
(A) Required zoning districts and frontages. Off-site signage shall be permitted only on parcels zoned with a Light Industrial (L-I) or Heavy Industrial (H-I) zoning classification which front along a principal arterial or interstate highway, as classified by the 2014 Transportation Master Plan, and successors.
(B) Standards and criteria for off-site signage. Any off-site signage proposed for installation shall conform with the standards and criteria set forth in the following. The size and location of any off-site signage which already exists shall be considered when determining the amount and location of any new signage proposed for installation under these standards.
(1) Sign face area. The maximum sign face area shall not exceed 300 square feet, except that such area may be increased to a maximum of 400 square feet if located on a parcel which fronts along an interstate highway.
(2) Sign height and vertical clearance. The maximum sign height shall not exceed 27 feet. In all cases, a minimum 15-foot vertical clearance measured from street grade of the nearest driving lane to the lowest line of the sign face shall be required.
(3) Setback. The minimum setback from any portion of the sign face or sign structure shall be either 55 feet from the centerline of the arterial street right-of-way or 15 feet from the right-of-way line, whichever produces the greater setback.
(4) Spacing. A minimum 600 foot distance, measured as a radius, shall be required between off-site sign installations. In addition, no more than four off-site sign installations shall be located within a linear mile measured along the same street, wherein the beginning point and ending point of such mile coincide with a section line.
(5) Method of installation. Each off-site sign shall be erected as a freestanding sign installation as defined by this chapter. No off-site sign shall be erected on the wall or roof of any building.
(6) Number of sign face(s). An off-site sign shall be permitted no more than two sign faces; both of which may be either static or digital.
(7) Orientation of sign face(s). Sign faces shall first be oriented perpendicular to the roadway on which it is located. Then the sign faces can be spread to a maximum angle of 30 degrees.
(8) Exterior sign lighting. Lighting fixtures used to illuminate any off-site sign, shall be mounted on the top of the sign structure. All such fixtures shall comply with the shielding requirements set forth in Article 18 of this chapter.
(9) Hours of illumination. The electrical illumination of outdoor off-site signs including those internally illuminated, is prohibited between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and sunrise.
(10) Digital billboards. In addition to the off-site sign regulations, the following requirements will apply to all digital billboards.
(a) All digital billboard signs shall be limited to a maximum surface luminosity limit of 6,500 NITS in full white mode during daytime hours. After sunset and before 11:00 p.m., the surface luminosity limit of signs smaller than 672 square feet shall be a maximum of 342 NITS in full white mode, and a maximum 300 NITS in full white mode for signs larger than 672 square feet. From 11:00 p.m. until sunrise, illumination shall be extinguished. Digital billboards shall be equipped with an automatic device to ensure the ability to dim the display through a photoelectric sensor that detects ambient light levels and adjusts the display intensity automatically to ensure the maximum NIT levels are enforced.
(b) All digital billboard signs shall provide for automatic dimming based upon ambient lighting conditions, including evening and overcast weather.
(c) It shall be prohibited for any digital billboard sign to have an illuminance greater than 1.0 foot candle at the property line of any adjacent property.
(d) The message or image of the digital billboard may be static or change at specific or programmed time intervals. The change in message or images shall occur no more frequently than once every eight seconds and shall not have fade or dissolve transitions, or full animation or video, or similar subtle transitions or frame effect that have the appearance of moving text or images. The transition from one message to the next shall be completed with one second.
(e) Message sequencing, the use of multiple digital billboards in a row to convey a message, shall be prohibited.
(11) Embellishments. Embellishments may extend no more than five feet above or below the horizontal edges and three feet beyond any vertical edge of the sign face area.
(12) Replacement of non-conforming billboards. The lawful use of any nonconforming sign or sign structure may be continued indefinitely, provided, however, than any addition, enlargement or other alteration which would increase the degree of nonconformity shall be prohibited.
(a) Spacing non-conformity. Replacement shall not be permitted if the billboard is considered non-conforming due to a spacing and/or concentration issue. The sign must be removed:
1. If repairs and/or replacement of the sign or sign portions equal 50% of its replacement value if sound; or
2. If the cost of alteration exceeds 50% of the replacement value. Repairs that cumulatively reach the 50% point in any consecutive ten-year period are not allowed.
(b) Zoning district non-conformity. Replacement may be allowed if the billboard is considered non-conforming due to its location within the General Commercial (B-2) District. Non-conforming billboards eligible for replacement must be replaced with a standard billboard-sized billboard which is at least 50% smaller in size than the billboard being replaced; except non-conforming billboards measuring 5' by 11' may be replaced in-kind.
If the billboard being proposed is to be digital, the company proposing the digital billboard must remove two non-conforming billboards, each equal in size to the proposed digital billboard, and must comply with all billboard regulations. Removed billboards shall only be counted once and they must be removed within the month prior to the issuance of a building permit for the replacement digital billboard.
(C) Prohibited locations. Off-site signage shall be prohibited at any of the following locations:
(1) Less than 150 feet from the nearest property line of any residential zoning district;
(2) In any block where the front one-third of any lot or parcels used for residential purposes comprises 50% or more of the block frontage; or
(3) Less than 1,500 feet from the exterior boundary of any federal, state, county or municipal historic park, monument or district.
(D) City approved sign programs installed within or as a part of a development project are not subject to § 154-17.04(B).
(Ord. O2010-32, passed 7-7-2010; Ord. O2015-05, passed 2-4-2015; Ord. O2016-028, passed 10-5-2016)
The following requirements and provisions shall be applicable to all sign installations as regulated by this chapter, both on-site and off-site, whether permanent or temporary.
(A) Construction and installation standards. All signs, sign structures and other components including electrical features, shall be designed, constructed and installed in accordance with the requirements of all applicable codes, ordinances and regulations previously adopted, or subsequently adopted, by the city. Those codes and ordinances shall dictate such standards as the means of structural support, allowable stresses, construction materials, wind loads, vibration resistance, seismic loads, electrical wiring and the like.
(B) Sign label. The building permit number as required by the City of Yuma Building Safety Division shall be permanently affixed to each sign installation, whether permanent or temporary, for which a building permit is required under this chapter. Any temporary signage for which no permit is required under this chapter shall be affixed with the telephone number of the sign owner. Such information shall be affixed by a weatherproof label, inscription or other permanent means, in a manner legible upon close inspection.
(C) Maintenance. Every sign shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good structural condition at all times, including the replacement of defective parts, repainting, cleaning and other acts necessary for the maintenance of said sign. If the sign is not made to comply with adequate safety standards, the City Building Official may require its removal in accordance with the provisions of division (E) below of this chapter.
(D) Damaged or deteriorated signage. Any sign or structure which is damaged or has deteriorated to an extent that the cost of repair equals 50% or more of the replacement value of the sign if sound, shall either be rebuilt or replaced in conformance with the standards and requirements of this chapter, or be removed altogether.
(E) Sign removal. The Building Official shall cause the repair or removal of any sign that endangers the public safety, such as materially dangerous, electrically or structurally defective sign or an abandoned sign, according to the following provisions. The following provisions pertaining to notice, appeal and reoccurrence shall also apply to all signage which is temporary signage extending beyond the permitted time limits according to the criteria specified by § 154-17.03(D) of this chapter.
(1) Notice. Written notice shall be sent to the owner of the sign if it is an off-site sign, or to the owner of the premises upon which an on-site sign is situated. Such notice shall identify any hazards, defects and deficiencies of the sign or sign structure, and the specific section(s) of this chapter or other applicable building code or ordinance adopted by the city to which the violations pertain. Said notice shall further indicate what repairs or other action, if any, would correct the violation(s) as noted, and shall specify a period of 30 days for either the repair or removal to be accomplished.
(2) Appeal. The owner of the sign, or the owner of the building or property, upon which it is situated, may appeal the order of the Building Official for removal or repair, by filing a written notice with the Building Official within ten days after receipt of the notice, for final consideration by the appropriate city board. The Board of Appeals shall consider appeals pertaining to the building code; the Electrical Advisory Board shall consider appeals pertaining to the electrical code; and the Board of Adjustment shall consider appeals pertaining to removal of abandoned signage, as well as any appeals from any interpretation made by the Zoning Administrator.
(3) Emergency. Should the Building Official determine that the sign or structure causes imminent danger to the public safety, contact shall be made with the owner to require immediate removal or correction. In the event that contact cannot be made with the owner, or the owner fails to correct the danger, the Building Official shall correct the danger by ordering the sign removal. Any sign removed by the Building Official pursuant to such emergency shall be disposed of in the manner deemed appropriate by City Council, upon recommendation by the Building Official. All costs associated with removal of such sign by the city, including all incidental costs, shall be considered a debt owed to the city by the owner of the sign if it is an off-site sign, or the owner of the property if it is an on-site sign, and shall be recovered in the following manner.
(a) The Building Official shall submit a report to the City Clerk for public hearing by the City Council. Such report shall include a description of the work done, an itemized account of all expenses incurred, a legal description of the property upon which the signage is or was located, and the name(s) and address(es) of the property owner and/or sign owner, if reasonably ascertainable.
(b) The City Clerk shall cause notice of the public hearing to be posted on the property involved, published once in a newspaper of general circulation within the city, and served by certified mail to the owner of the property if it is an on-site sign, according to the names and addresses shown on the county assessment roll, and to the owner of the sign if it is an off-site sign if such name and address are reasonably ascertainable. Such notice as specified herein shall be given at least ten days prior to the hearing, and shall further specify the day, hour and place for the hearing.
(c) At the conclusion of the public hearing, the City Council shall confirm or deny the report, with or without any modifications as it deems appropriate, and shall determine whether the charges are to be recovered by personal obligation of the property owner. Should Council order that the charges shall be a personal obligation of the property owner and/or the sign owner, the City Attorney shall be authorized to collect the same by use of all appropriate legal remedies.
(F) Locations within right-of-way. No sign shall be located within any existing or prospective public street right-of-way as classified by the circulation element of the Yuma General Plan, nor shall any portion of a sign or sign structure overhang such right-of-way, except as provided in this code.
('80 Code, App. A, § 161) (Ord. 583, passed 9-16-1952; Ord. 2193, passed 3-21-1984; Ord. 2243, passed 12-19-1984; Ord. O2005-91, passed 10-5-2005) Penalty, see § 154-999
(G) Balloons and inflatable devices. The following applies to the use of balloons and other inflatable devices used as signs.
(1) Individual balloons/inflatable devices or strings of balloons shall not be higher than the building located on the site.
(2) Individual balloons/inflatable devices or strings of balloons shall be tethered to the ground a distance from the property line equal to the balloon height.
(3) Individual balloons/inflatable devices or strings of balloons are required to be maintained solely on the property of the business for which it is advertising.
(4) Individual balloons/inflatable devices or strings or balloons are not allowed to cross into the right-of-way, whether in the air or on the ground.
(5) Individual balloons/inflatable devices or strings of balloons are not allowed to be cut loose or to blow away. The maintenance and disposal of the balloons is the responsibility of the business that they are advertising. Balloons must be removed and disposed of properly.
(6) The provision of § 154-14.02(C)(3) development standards in the AutoCenter Overlay District does not apply to balloons and inflatable devices.
('80 Code, App. A, § 161) (Ord. 583, passed 9-16-1952; Ord. 2193, passed 3-21-1984; Ord. 2243, passed 12-19-1984; Ord. O2005-91, passed 10-5-2005; Ord. O2007-52, passed 10-3-2007; Ord. O2010-09, passed 2-3-2010; Ord. O2010-32, passed 7-7-2010) Penalty, see § 154-999
(A) Prohibited signs. The following types of signs shall be prohibited:
(1) Portable signs as defined by this chapter;
(2) Streamers displayed for periods exceeding 15 days;
(3) Balloons exceeding four feet in diameter;
(4) Animated, flashing or indexing signs;
(Ord. O2017-014, passed 5-3-2017)
(5) Swinging signs;
(6) Signs which rotate more than six revolutions per minute;
(7) Banners, other than for identifying a special event for a maximum period of 15 days;
(8) Any sign attached to a stand pipe or fire escape;
(9) Any sign which impedes access to any door, window or fire escape;
(10) Signs on public property, unless otherwise allowed by law;
(Ord. O2009-54, passed 10-21-2009; Ord. O2017-014, passed 5-3-2017)
(11) Any sign which facsimilates traffic control devices or emergency vehicles by reason of shape, color or other feature;
(12) Any on-site sign attached to an off-site installation which increases the existing sign face area;
(13) Any off-site sign attached to an on-site sign installation; and
(14) Any other type of signage which does not comply with the regulations and provisions of this chapter.
(B) Exempt signage. The following types of sign installations shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter:
(1) Flags;
(2) Government signs for street names, traffic control or other regulatory purpose of the government;
(3) Holiday decorations; and
(4) Signage located within the interior of any building or other enclosure, and not visible from any public right-of-way or adjoining property, provided, however, this provision shall not exempt such installations from the requirement for any electrical permit, such as an illuminated sign within an enclosed mall, any structural permit or other requirement of an applicable building code or other regulation adopted by the city.
(5) Temporary signs.
(a) Temporary signs are only permitted for licensed businesses that are located onsite, whose access or visibility are currently impacted by any type of undergoing active roadway construction, repair or maintenance that is immediately occurring adjacent to/or in front of the property and currently impacted by such.
(b) A temporary sign application is required to be filed with the city to determine placement of such, prior to installation.
(c) The City Administrator or designee is authorized and directed to promulgate regulations to effect this section.
(Ord.O2010-07, passed 1-20-2010)
(6) A sign on a truck, bus, boat, trailer, car or other motorized vehicles and equipment provided the following conditions are adhered to:
(a) Primary purpose of such vehicle or equipment is not the display of signs;
(b) Such signs are magnetic, decals or painted upon an integral part of the vehicle or equipment as originally designed by the manufacturer, and do not break the silhouette of the vehicle;
(c) Vehicle/equipment is in operating condition, currently registered and licensed to operate on public streets when applicable, and actively used in the daily function of the business to which such signs relate;
(d) Vehicles and equipment are not used primarily as static displays, advertising a product or service, not utilized as storage or shelter; and
(e) During periods of inactivity exceeding 72 hours such vehicle/equipment are not so parked or placed that the signs thereon are displayed to the public. Vehicles and equipment engaged in active construction projects and the on-premise storage of equipment and vehicles offered to the general public for rent or lease shall not be subjected to this condition.
(C) Signage for which no permits are required. Permits shall not be required for any of the following sign installations, provided, however, that such installations shall meet all other requirements of this chapter as may be applicable:
(1) Changing the copy of a sign previously designed with interchangeable panels, letters or other graphics;
(2) Cleaning, repair, repapering, repainting a previously painted sign or other maintenance, including replacement of a sign face necessitated by damage or deterioration, none of which increases the existing sign face area. No activity shall be contrary to the requirements of §§ 154-17.02(C) and § 154-17.05(D) of this chapter;
(3) The painting of any on-site signage, whether permanent or temporary, within a window of any building wall, or the installation or modification, of any merchandise display within an existing window; and
(4) Temporary signage not exceeding 32 square feet in area and six feet in height.
(Ord. O2008-06, passed 2-20-2008; Ord. O2010-32, passed 7-7-2010; Ord. O2017-014, passed 5-3-2017; Ord. O2022-044, passed 9-21-2022)
(A) Responsibilities. The administration and enforcement of these regulations shall be the responsibility of the City Zoning Administrator and the Building Official, in accordance with the customary duties and responsibilities of each official, respectively, and as further provided by this subchapter and by Article 2; § 154-02.02.
(B) Issuance of building permits.
(1) Permits required. A permit issued by the City of Yuma Building Safety Department shall be required for the installation, construction, reconstruction, alteration or replacement of all signs and sign structures as specified in the following. Failure to obtain such permit shall be considered a violation of this chapter. Approval of such permit by the city shall not eliminate any requirement to secure a permit from the State of Arizona pursuant to state law where applicable.
(a) Application. All permit applications shall be in the form prescribed by the Building Safety Department, and shall further include the information required by this subchapter.
(b) Permanent signage. A permit shall be required for all permanent sign installations as regulated by this chapter, including the painting or other attachment of any signage on the exterior of any building, wall, roof, fence or other outdoor surface as a new sign installation. In applying for such permit, the sign owner shall indicate in writing whether the sign is to be an on-site or an off-site sign installation.
(c) Temporary signage. A permit shall be required for any temporary sign installation exceeding 32 square feet in sign face area, and exceeding six feet in height, provided, however, that the installer of any temporary sign exceeding ten square feet in sign face area shall register its location, as permitted by this chapter, with the City of Yuma Department of Planning and Neighborhood Services. In applying for such a permit for temporary signage as required herein, the applicant shall indicate in writing the date by which such signage shall be removed.
(d) Electrical permits. If the sign or sign structure is to be illuminated by electrical means, a separate electrical permit shall be required in accordance with the standards and requirements of the electrical code as adopted by the city.
(2) Requirements for permit applications. Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by a plan or plan(s) drawn to scale which indicate the following:
(a) Complete dimensions to illustrate the sign face area, the height of the sign structure if freestanding, or the dimensions of the wall, roof or canopy upon which mounted or painted;
(b) The total amount of sign face area already existing on the property, whether permanent or temporary, on-site and off-site, and their locations;
(c) The location of the sign installation on the property, as well as the location of all property lines, curb lines, curb cuts and sidewalks pertinent to the sign location;
(d) The method of attachment, illumination and structural support; any calculations as may be required by the Building Official shall also be included; and
(e) The exact location of the property upon which the signage is to be installed, either by address or legal description.
(C) Fees.
(1) Permit fee. Prior to the issuance of any permit for a sign installation, the Building Safety Department shall collect a permit fee in the amount specified by current adopted building code.
(a) Such fee shall be based on the total valuation of the sign and sign structure, whether or not made locally, as calculated according to the building valuation data maintained by the Building Safety Department. The building valuation data include the unit cost per square foot sign face area for illuminated and nonilluminated signage.
(b) For any addition to an existing sign or sign structure, the valuation shall be based upon the square footage of the sign face area to be added.
(2) Plan check fee. In addition to the permit fee, a plan check fee shall be collected by the Building Safety Department in the amount of 65% of the permit fee. The plan check fee shall be required at the time that a permit is applied for and plans are submitted, and shall be paid whether or not a permit is issued.
(3) Investigation fees. Should there begin any work for which a permit is required by this chapter, and no permit has been issued, the Building Safety Department shall conduct a special investigation prior to issuing any permit for such work. The investigation fee shall equal, and be in addition to, the permit fee.
(a) In addition, the party performing work shall be subject to the penal provisions of this chapter, well as the applicable provisions of any other code or ordinance adopted by the city.
(b) A re-inspection fee shall be assessed when the work for which the inspection is called is not complete, or when corrections previously noted have not been made. Such fee shall be $15 and shall be collected by the Building Safety Department prior to conducting any further re-inspections.
(D) Variances. Variances may be granted by the appropriate city board as specified herein, to allow relief from the design standards specified by this chapter. However, no relief shall be granted to permit the erection of signs which are prohibited by § 154-17.06(A) of this chapter.
(1) Requests for variances from the design criteria of this chapter, such as, but not limited to, the size, height, location, spacing and number of signs, as well as the requirements pertaining to the manner of keeping, shall be considered by the City of Yuma Hearing Officer. Such variance requests, as well as any appeal from an interpretation made by the Zoning Administrator, shall be considered in accordance with the requirements and criteria of Article 2; § 154-02.02 of this chapter. However, since it is the intent of this chapter to secure the gradual and eventual elimination, rather than expansion, of nonconforming signs and sign structures, the Hearing Officer shall not grant any variance to increase the degree of nonconformity for any existing signage.
(2) Requests for variances from the structural or mechanical requirements of any building code as may be adopted by the city, or any appeal from an interpretation made by the Building Official, shall be considered by the appropriate board, such as the Board of Appeals or the Building Advisory Board, in accordance with their adopted procedures.
('80 Code, App. A, § 161) (Ord. 583, passed 9-16-1952; Ord. 2193, passed 3-21-1984; Ord. 2243, passed 12-19-1984; Ord. O2010-09, passed 2-3-2010; Ord. O2010-32, passed 7-7-2010; Ord. O2022- 044, passed 9-21-2022)
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to violate, or cause the violation of, any provision of this article. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions in this article shall be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than ten days or both fine and imprisonment. If a violation of any provision of this article constitutes an immediate threat to the health and safety of the general public, each separate day or part thereof during which such violation of this article occurs or continues shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense, and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable as herein provided.
(Ord. O2016-028, passed 10-5-2016)
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