CHAPTER 18
SIGNS
1805 Purpose.
1810 Promulgation
of Rules and Regulations.
1815 Calculating
the Area of a Sign.
1820 Definitions.
1825 Signs
Not Requiring Permits.
1830 Prohibited
Signs.
1835 Permitted
Signs.
1840 Matrices.
1845 Unified
Sign Plan.
1850 Administrative
Provisions.
1855 Permits
Required.
1860 Permit
Revocable.
1865 Construction,
Inspection, and Maintenance Standards.
1870 Permit
Fees and Penalties.
1875 Nonconforming
Signs.
1880 Sign
Variances.
1885 Validity.
1805 PURPOSE
This Code,
together with future amendments thereof, shall be known and may be cited as the
“City of
(1)
To establish standards and guidelines for the design,
erection and installation of signs and other visual communication devices so
that the City of
(2)
To provide for the appropriate use and location of
signs in a manner that will not adversely affect or impact property values,
compatibility of land use, community appearance and identity, and to otherwise
promote the general welfare, public safety, convenience and order to the City
of Owasso.
(3)
To provide for the issuance, revocation, inspection and
identification of signs within the City.
(4) To provide for the removal of any sign that is in violation of or non-conforming with the intent and purpose of this Code.
1810 PROMULGATION OF RULES
Upon adoption of this ordinance, the City Manager shall present Rules and Regulations relating to the implementation of the intent of Chapter 18 to the City Council for adoption by resolution. Provided, however, that the City Manager shall from time to time promulgate such additional Rules and Regulations, or changes to existing Rules and Regulations as considered necessary. The promulgation of such Rules and Regulations, in whole or in part, shall require the City Manager to notify the City Council and Planning Commission in writing of the proposed Rules and Regulations and shall require the exact language of the proposal be attached to such notice. Such notice to the City Council shall be published in the consent agenda of a City Council meeting for acknowledgement of Council receipt of the change(s). Upon notification to the City Council and for a period of 30 days, the proposed Rules and Regulations shall lay open and be subject to City Council action to disapprove either in part or in whole. Absent action by the City Council to disapprove proposed Rules and Regulations within the allotted time frame, such Rules and Regulations shall have the force and effect of law.
1815 CALCULATING THE AREA OF A SIGN
The area of a
sign shall be computed to include the entire area within a sign, whether such
sign is a parallelogram, triangle, circle or semi-circle, including all of the
display area of one side and any part of the surface of any cornice, hood,
awning, wall or similar ornamental or structural feature that blends with the
sign in such a manner as to appear to be the background of the sign, and
including all of the elements of the matter displayed, regardless of the angle
at which such sign is placed in relationship to the building frontage;
provided, however, that the area of a wall sign shall be computed to include
only the area in which characters, letters, illustrations, insignia or logos
are depicted.
1820 DEFINITIONS.
Definitions of
terms as used in this Code, unless the context otherwise requires, shall be as
follows:
Advertising Face. Each
side of a sign that is designed, constructed, located and positioned for the
purpose of displaying off-premises advertising material.
Area Marker. A
sign that designates or identifies a subdivision or development.
Awnings. Any structure made of cloth or
metal with a metal frame attached to a building and projecting over public
property when so constructed to permit its being lowered to a position over
public property and to permit its being raised to a position flat against
building when not in use.
Canopy. A roof-like structure of a
permanent nature that projects over a public way.
Contractor Sign. Signs
that denote the architect, engineer, contractor, lending institution or other
related business when placed upon work under construction.
Establishment. A place of business that has a separate
identity, separate entrances, and separate records and books of its business
transactions.
Front Footage. The lot frontage on which the sign is
located.
Marquee. A roof-like structure of a permanent nature that projects from the
wall of a building and may overhang a public way. Changeable lettering may be a part thereof.
Noncombustible Material. Any
material that will not ignite at or below a temperature of one thousand two
hundred (1200) degrees Fahrenheit and will not continue to burn or glow at that
temperature.
Professional Nameplate. A
sign that states the name and occupation or profession of the person occupying
the premises where the sign is located.
Sign. A sign includes any device that
displays or includes any letter, work, model, banner, flag, pennant, insignia,
propeller balloon, device or representation used as, or that is in the nature
of an advertisement or announcement or that directs attention to an object,
product, place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business; but
the term shall not include display of official notice.
Sign, Bulletin. A
sign or board constructed in connection with a non-profit, community or
neighborhood center, public building, church building or educational
institution on its premises for announcement purposes.
Sign, Business. A
sign that directs attention to a business or profession conducted, or to
products, services, or entertainment sold or offered upon the premises where
such sign is located, or to which it is attached.
Sign, Directional. A
sign providing directions to the general public to a specific site or address
in the City.
Sign, Flashing. Any
sign that incorporates in any manner apparent movement achieved by electrical
pulsation, contains intermittent lighting or by other means such as sequential
light phasing.
Sign, Ground / Pole Mounted. A
sign that is supported by one or more poles, uprights or braces in the ground
and that is not a part of a building.
Sign, Ground / Surface Mounted. A
sign that is mounted flush with the ground or is supported by one or more
poles, uprights, or braces in the ground and that is not a part of a building.
Sign, Illuminated. Any
sign designed to give forth any artificial light, or designed to reflect such
light deriving from any source that is intended to cause such light or
reflection.
Sign, Moving. Any
sign, or part of a sign, whether illuminated or unilluminated, that does not
remain stationary at all times regardless of power source that affects
movement.
Sign, Political. A
sign that makes known the name or information about a person running for an
office or any other information concerning a political campaign or election
issue of any nature.
Sign, Roof. A sign constructed upon or
above a roof or parapet of a building whether extending beyond the highest
point of the building or not.
Sign, Snipe. A
temporary sign that is made of any material, attached to a utility pole, tree,
fence post, stake, stick, mailbox or any similar object, whether in the public
right-of-way or not.
Sign, Structure. The
supports, uprights, bracing and framework for a sign or outdoor display.
Sign, Temporary. A
sign that is not intended to be used or installed permanently and/or that the
Community Development Director or his/her designee deems to not be constructed
or erected in a manner consistent with the stated purpose of this Code.
Sign, Wall. A sign painted, attached to, or
constructed against the wall of a building or structure with the exposed face
of the sign in a plane approximately parallel to the plane of the wall.
Wall. The exterior surface of a
building or structure. For purposes of
this Code, other than size limitations, wall shall be determined to include
mansard-type or sloped roof structures.
Work of Art. The term “work of art” shall
apply to all mural paintings or decorations, inscriptions, mosaic, painted
glass and similar art forms of a permanent character intended for permanent or
commemoration that are applied to, constructed or placed upon the exterior
walls of any building. For the purpose
of this ordinance, “work(s) of art”, whether singular or in aggregate, shall be
deemed to exist when its size exceeds sixteen (16) square feet. For the purpose of this ordinance, a “work of
art” which in any way relates to the business conducted therein shall be
considered as a wall sign.
1825 SIGNS NOT REQUIRING PERMITS
A permit shall
not be required for the following types of signs, provided that said signs
shall be subject to all other provisions of this Code.
Sports Field Signs. Temporary
signs at sports fields do not require permits and will not be required to
follow the provisions of this Ordinance.
Real Estate Signs. One (1)
real estate sign not exceeding eight (8) square feet in area for residentially
zoned areas or thirty-two (32) square feet for commercial or industrial zoned
areas which is “double-faced” and advertises only the sale, rental or lease of
the premises upon which such signs are located.
Open House Signs. One (1)
directional or open house sign not exceeding two (4) square feet in area
located on the private property of the premises upon which the sale is located. Additionally, one open house sign may be
placed at the entrance to the subdivision in which the house for sale is
located, provided that the sign announces the address of the house and the time
and date that the open house is being conducted.
Business Signs. One (1) non-illuminated, non-activated
nameplate or occupational sign not exceeding two (2) square feet in area and
attached flat against a building, providing only the name, address and
occupation of the building tenant or owner.
Flags. Flags and insignias of any government
or government agency.
Historical Markers.
Non-illuminated, non-reflective memorial signs or signs bearing the name
of the building and date of erection, provided that said signs do not exceed
twelve (12) square feet in area and are either carved into, embossed on or
permanently embedded in masonry, bronze or other non-combustible materials, in
such a way that they are an architectural detail of a building.
Legal Notices. Legal notices, identification,
informational or directional signs constructed by government agencies or in
compliance with their regulations.
Political Signs. Political
signs, not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in area, which makes known the
name of and information concerning a political campaign of any nature, provided
that such signs shall not be placed or erected sooner than six (6) weeks before
the general election and are to be removed no later than one (1) day following
the general election, that no political sign shall be placed in or on the
public right-of-way, that no political sign shall be placed or erected in or on
any private property without the express permission of the owner or occupant of
such property.
Garage Sale Sign. A maximum
of two (2) signs not to exceed four (4) square feet each shall be permitted to
advertise a garage sale. Any such sign
shall not be placed in the public right-of-way, shall not be placed or located
farther than the nearest major arterial roadway from the site of the sale and
shall be removed immediately at the conclusion of the garage sale.
Service Station Signs. Signs
that are attached to gasoline pumps or other similar dispensing or servicing
devices are allowed, as well as signs and required regulatory information that
are an integral part of the service station operation. In no way does this section allow snipe signs
and pennants at service stations, and banners at service stations must be
permitted as they are at other uses.
Awning or Canopy Lettering. Vinyl or
plastic lettering affixed to any awning or canopy, and conforming to the
provisions of the section related to awnings/canopy type signs.
Contractor Signs.
Contractor signs not exceeding twenty-four (24) square feet in area and
placed within the area to be constructed.
Window Signs. Signs that are posted on windows
and not designed to be read from a point off the property.
Community Interest Signs. Any
other sign that the City Council deems of a public or community wide interest.
1830 PROHIBITED SIGNS.
Location
(a) No sign shall be permitted to extend into,
above or be placed in or on any portion of a public street, avenue or alley,
nor shall any sign be painted, pasted, posted, printed or nailed to or on any
curb, sidewalk, tree, light standard, utility pole, hydrant or bridge, or in
any manner displayed within the public property or public right-of-way lines of
any street, avenue or alley except legal notices, identification, informational
or directional signs erected by a government agency and in compliance with
their regulations.
(b) No sign shall be constructed so as to
obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, or door opening intended as a means of ingress or
egress, nor shall any sign be placed in such a manner as to interfere with any
opening required for ventilation.
(c) No sign shall be constructed in a manner that
interferes with any surface or underground utility structure. Furthermore, placement shall not interfere
with natural or artificial drainage or surface or underground water.
(d) No sign shall be constructed or displayed
that is deemed to be hazardous, a danger, a traffic hazard, causes the
potential impediment to rescue personnel in the event of an emergency or which
constitutes a public nuisance.
Type.
(a)
Any sign not specifically permitted within a zoning
district, to include temporary signs, shall be prohibited within such zoning
district.
(b)
Portable, Snipe,
(c)
Gooseneck Reflectors. Gooseneck reflectors and lights shall be
permitted only on ground signs, roof signs, wall signs, and works of art,
provided the reflectors shall be equipped with proper glass lenses
concentrating the illumination upon the area of the sign or work of art so as
to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property.
(d)
Spotlight and Floodlights. It shall be unlawful for any person to
maintain any sign or work of art that extends over public property that is
wholly or partially illuminated by floodlights or spotlights.
(e)
Moving and Flashing. No moving signs shall be permitted in any
district except for pennants used in connection with real estate “Open House”
and maintained for less than forty-eight (48) hours. No flashing signs shall be permitted in any residential
district.
(f)
Nuisance.
No sign shall be permitted that emits audible sound, vapor, smoke, odor
particles or gaseous matter.
(g)
Placards, Leaflets, Handbills. No placards, leaflets, handbills or similar
signs shall be placed on the exterior wall or window of any building, attached
to utility poles, or public property in any district.
(h)
Corporate or Commercial Flags. No corporate or commercial flags shall be
permitted in any zoning district that exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height
and/or fifteen (15) square feet in area to include those corporate or
commercial flags containing logos. Additionally, corporate or commercial flags
shall be limited to one (1) flag per business entity.
(i)
Work of Art.
No work of art shall be applied to, erected or placed upon the exterior
walls of any building within the City of
(j)
Advertising Signs (off-premises). It shall be
unlawful for any person to construct any off-premises advertising sign in any
zoning district in the City.
(k)
Roof Signs.
It shall be unlawful for any person to construct or maintain any roof
sign in any zoning district in the City.
(l)
Balloons and Inflatable Signs. It shall be unlawful for any person to
construct, erect or maintain any balloon, inflatable device or image for the
purpose of advertising or directing attention to the location from which the
device is attached.
Content.
(a)
Obscene
Matter No person shall display upon any sign or
other advertising structure an obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
(b)
Traffic
Safety No sign shall be erected or constructed in
any district within the City that states, “stop”, “go”, “slow”, “danger” or any
other similar term which could reasonable be confused with traffic signs. Furthermore, no sign shall be erected or
constructed in any district which would by its color or nature, tend to be
confused with or obstruct sight of traffic signs or traffic signals by
motorists or pedestrians, or which would otherwise constitute a hazard to the
safe and efficient operation of vehicles, or would create a condition which
might endanger the safety of any person.
1835 PERMITTED SIGNS
Signs permitted under the provisions of this Code are itemized on
matrices according to zoning districts.
The matrices indicate whether the sign is “permitted conditionally”, or
“not permitted” in each zoning district.
Each matrix also includes significant characteristics or attributes of
each sign by type and is further cross-referenced by a series of
conditions. Signs not listed in a
particular matrix are expressly prohibited unless allowed under the provisions
of Section 1820 of this Code. The
matrices do not intend, however, to preclude any other section of this Code.
1840 MATRICES
The following matrices with qualifying conditions are included below:
A. Matrix #1 – Signs permitted in AG Agricultural, RE Residential, RS-1 Residential, RS-2 Residential, and RS-3 Residential zoning districts.
B. Matrix #2 – Signs permitted in RD Duplex, RTH Multi-family, RM-1 Multi-family, RM-2 Multi-family, and RMH Mobile Home zoning districts.
C. Matrix #3 – Signs permitted in OL Office and OM Office zoning districts.
D. Matrix #4 – Signs permitted in CS Commercial and IL Industrial zoning districts.
E. Matrix #5 – Signs permitted CG Commercial, CH Commercial, and IM Industrial zoning districts.
F. Matrix #6 – Signs permitted in IH Industrial zoning districts.
AG,
RE, RS-1, RS-2, RS-3
|
Type |
Condition |
Not |
Max Area |
Setback from Front Property
Line |
Max # Signs |
Max # of Days |
Maximum Height |
Setback from Side or Rear
Property Line |
Setback from |
|
Area Marker |
A,D,J |
|
100 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
Awnings |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Banner |
HH,II |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Bulletin |
B,
C, D |
|
12 |
10 |
1 |
|
4 |
8 |
|
|
Business |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canopy |
|