City of Knob Noster, MO Article VIII Sign Regulations

Section 405.560 Intent and Purpose.

[R.O. 2012 §405.560; Ord. No. 522 §§1—3, 12-1-1992]

A. It is the intent and purpose of these Sign Regulations to qualify, supplement, or define the allowable uses of the several types of signs allowed in the District Regulations of Article IV of this Chapter; and to accomplish the following intent:

1. To encourage the reasonable, orderly and effective display of signs;

2. To enhance the physical appearance of the City;

3. To reduce visual clutter;

4. To prevent blighting influences;

5. To protect property values;

6. To provide minimum standards to safeguard life, health and property by regulating and controlling the size, height, design, quality of materials, construction locations, electrification and maintenance of all signs and sign structures; and

7. To authorize the use of signs which are compatible with their surroundings.

Section 405.570 Use Regulations.

[R.O. 2012 §405.570; Ord. No. 522 §§1—3, 12-1-1992]

Any sign shall, by definition, be a structure. No land or building or structure shall be used for sign purposes except within the stipulated districts listed in Sign Use Regulations specified herein. All signs legally existing on December 1, 1992, may remain in use under the conditions of legal non-conformance. Signs in legal non-conformance shall not be enlarged, moved, lighted, or reconstructed; however, the change of the advertising display shall not be restricted except as previously stated. After the affective date of this Chapter, no sign shall be erected, enlarged, constructed, or otherwise installed without first obtaining a sign permit, and a sign permit shall be legally issued only when in compliance with the Sign Regulations of this Article. All signs shall be constructed in such a manner and of such material that they shall be safe and substantial. Scale drawings of the sign and manner of supports shall be furnished to the City Clerk in application for a sign permit for all signs.

Section 405.580 Classification of Signs and Definitions of Signs.

[R.O. 2012 §405.580; Ord. No. 522 §§1—3, 12-1-1992]

A. For the purpose of these Zoning Regulations, terms used in the classification and definitions of signs shall have these prescribed meanings:

1. Functional types.

BILLBOARD SIGN

A sign which directs the attention of the public to any goods, merchandise, property, business, service, entertainment, or amusement conducted or produced which is bought or sold, furnished, offered, or dealt in elsewhere than on the premises where such sign is located or to which it is affixed.

BULLETIN BOARD SIGN

A sign that indicates the name of an institution or organization on whose premises it is located and which contains the name of the institution or organization, the name or names of persons connected within, and announcement of persons, events, or activities occurring at the institution. Such sign may also present a greeting or similar message.

BUSINESS SIGN

A sign which 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 affixed.

CONSTRUCTION SIGN

A temporary sign indicating the names of the architects, engineers, landscape architects, contractors, and similar artisans involved in the design and construction of a structure, complex or project only during the construction period and only on the premises on which the construction is taking place.

FLASHING OR MOVING SIRENS

Any illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not constant in intensity and color at all times. For the purpose of this Chapter, any revolving, rotating, moving, animated, signs with moving lights, or signs which create the illusion of movement shall be considered as a flashing sign.

IDENTIFICATION SIGN

A sign giving the name and address of a building, business, development, or establishment. Such signs may be wholly or partially devoted to a readily recognized symbol.

LOGO SIGN

A distinctive company signature, trademark, or service mark as used by a manufacturer, dealer or supplier of services to distinguish a product or service from those competitors, and usually registered and protected by law. The logo sign shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet.

NAME PLATE SIGN

A sign giving the name and/or address of the owner or occupant of a building or premises on which it is located and, where applicable, a professional status.

REAL ESTATE SIGN

A sign pertaining to the sale or lease of a lot or tract of land on which the sign is located, or to the sale or lease of one (1) or more structures or a portion thereof on which the sign is located.

2. Structural types.

AWNING, CANOPY, OR MARQUEE SIGN

A sign that is mounted or painted on or attached to an awning, canopy, or marquee. No such signs shall project above, below, or beyond the awning, canopy, or marquee.

BANNER SIGN

Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted to a pole or a building at one (1) or more edges. National flags, State or Municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners.

GROUND SIGN

Any sign placed upon, or supported by, the ground independently of the principal building or structure on the property, where the bottom edge of the sign is no greater than six (6) feet above the elevation of the ground, and where the width of the support structure for the sign is no less than one-half (1/2) the width of the display surface area, and shall be solid in appearance.

POLE SIGN

Any sign placed upon, or supported by, the ground independently of the principal building or structure on the property where the bottom of the sign is six (6) feet or more above the ground level.

PORTABLE SIGN

Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted to "A"- or "T'-frames; menu and sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business.

PORTABLE SWINGER SIGN AND "A"-FRAME OR SANDWICH SIGN

An advertising device which is ordinarily in the shape of an "A" or some variation thereof, located on the ground, easily movable, not permanently attached thereof, and which is usually two-sided.

PORTABLE TEMPORARY ATTRACTION SIGN BOARD

A single or double surface painted or poster panel type sign or some variation thereof, which is temporary in nature, usually mounted on wheels, easily movable, not permanently attached thereto.

PROJECTING SIGN

A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building for support and which projects more than twelve (12) inches from such building.

READER BOARD SIGN

A portion of a ground sign designed to give information relative to the business where it is located, which information may change frequently; and a free-stand informational sign not exceeding fifty (50) feet, in conjunction with drive-in services designed to display information that may change frequently.

ROOF SIGN

A sign totally supported on the roof of a structure. Roof signs shall not project more than twelve (12) inches beyond the face of the building.

ROOF SIGN, INTEGRAL

Any sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially integral part of a normal roof structure of any design, such that no part of the sign extends vertically above the highest portion of the roof, and such that no part of the sign is separated from the rest of the roof by a space of more than six (6) inches.

WALL SIGN

A sign fastened to or painted on a wall of a building or structure in such a manner that the wall becomes merely the supporting structure or forms the background surface, and which does not project more than twelve (12) inches from such building, nor above the roof of the building.

WINDOW SIGN

Any sign, pictures, symbol, or combination thereof, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale or service, that is placed inside a window or upon the window.

3. Sign-related terms, phrases and words — definitions.

COMMERCIAL MESSAGE

Any sign wording, logo, or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, sale or sales event or other commercial activity.

DISPLAY SURFACE AREA

The net geometric area enclosed by the display surface of the sign, including the outer extremities of all letters, characters and delineations; provided however, "display surface area" shall not include the structural supports for free-standing signs.

ILLUMINATED, DIRECT

Illumination which is so arranged that the light is directed into the eyes of the viewer from the light source.

ILLUMINATED, INDIRECT

Illumination so arranged that the light is reflected from the sign to the eyes of the viewer.

NON-CONFORMING, SIGN

A sign existing at the effective date of the adoption of this Chapter which could not be built under the terms of this Chapter.

OFF-SITE SIGN

A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered, or existing elsewhere than upon the same lot where such sign is displayed. The term "off-site sign" shall include an outdoor billboard sign on which space is leased or rented by the owner thereof to others for the purposes of conveying a commercial or non-commercial message.

ON-SITE SIGN

A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered or existing on the same lot where such sign is displayed; provided, an on-site sign may also display a non-commercial message.

SHOPPING CENTER

Two (2) or more retail stores and/or service establishments, or one (1) retail store and one (1) service establishment, sharing customer parking areas, regardless of whether said stores and/or establishments occupy separate structures or are under separate ownerships.

STREET FRONTAGE

The distance for which a lot line of a zone lot adjoins a public street, from one (1) lot line intersecting said street to the furthest distance lot line intersecting the same street.

Section 405.590 General Standards.

[R.O. 2012 §405.590; Ord. No. 522 §§1—3, 12-1-1992]

A. Prohibited Signs.

1. Signs on public property. Any sign installed or placed on public properly, except in conformance with the requirements, shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation, except that logo signs on public athletic fields shall be allowed. In addition to other remedies hereunder, the City shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing such a sign the full costs of removal and disposal of such sign.

2. Obscene or indecent advertisement. No person shall display upon any sign or other advertising structure any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.

3. Flashing signs. Flashing signs shall not be permitted. A sign whereon the current time and/or temperature is indicated by intermittent lighting shall not be deemed as a flashing sign if the lighting changes are limited to the numerals indicating the time and/or temperature and are not more frequent than every fifteen (15) seconds.

4. Off-site signs: (billboard signs).

B. Exemptions.

1. The following signs shall be exempt from the requirements of this Article:

a. Flags or emblems of a governmental or of a political, civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization displayed on private property.

b. Signs of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic or similar regulatory signs, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings, and other instructional or regulatory signs having to do with health, hazards, parking, swimming, dumping, etc.

c. Memorial signs and tablets displayed on private property.

d. Small signs, not exceeding three (3) square feet in area, displayed on private property for the convenience of the public, including signs to identify entrance and exit drives, parking areas, one-way drives restrooms, freight entrances, and other similar signs.

e. Score boards in athletic stadiums.

2. The following signs are exempt from sign permit Section 405.590 of this Article, but shall comply with all of the other regulations imposed by this Article:

a. Name plate signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in gross area accessory to a single-family or two-family dwelling.

b. Bulletin board signs not exceeding fifteen (15) square feet in gross area accessory to a church, school, or public or non-profit institution.

c. Temporary signs for the sale of household goods at a residence (garage sale) for a period not to exceed three (3) days.

d. Real estate signs not exceeding six (6) square feet in area for the sale of the property on which it is located.

e. Construction signs not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in area only during the period of construction.

f. Portable temporary attraction signs on wheels. Portable temporary attraction signs shall be allowed, whether mounted on vehicles, wheels, platforms, or freestanding.

g. Political campaign signs, not exceeding four (4) square feet in area, displayed during no more than an eight (8) week period preceding and a one (1) week period following an election.

Section 405.600 Permits.

[R.O. 2012 §405.600; Ord. No. 522 §§1—3, 12-1-1992]

A. Requirement. No person shall erect, repair, structurally alter, relocate or maintain within the City any sign or other advertising structure as defined in this Article without first obtaining a permit from the Zoning Official and making payment of the fee, with the exception that repairs and changes in the painted or printed copy are permitted on conforming and non-conforming signs, as long as such repairs and changes do not alter the structure, and with the exception that structural alterations involving minor extensions shall require a permit based on the square footage of the extension. All such repairs and changes shall be done under the supervision of the enforcement agency.

B. Application For Permanent Sign. Application for permits shall be made on forms provided by the Zoning Official, and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:

1. Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.

2. Location of building, structure or lot to which or upon which the sign or other advertising structure is to be attached or erected.

3. Position of the sign or other advertising structure in relation to nearby buildings or structures.

4. Name of person erecting structure.

5. Written consent of the owner of the building, structure or land to which or on which the structure is to be erected.

6. Any electrical permit required and issued for the sign.

7. Insurance policy or bond as required.

8. Such other information as the enforcement agency shall require to show full compliance with this and all other laws of the City.

C. Application For Temporary Sign.

1. Permits for temporary signs erected for sales or special occasions or purposes shall be authorized for a period not to exceed thirty (30) consecutive days, with further restrictions of three (3) temporary permits issued per calendar year. One (1) temporary sign per business site shall be allowed at any one time.

2. Permits for temporary signs erected to provide identification of construction projects or new building may be authorized for a six (6) month period and, upon application to the enforcement agency, may be renewed for successive six (6) month periods: provided, that no additional fee shall be required for renewal of such permits.

D. Term Of Permit. The enforcement agency shall, upon filing of an application for a permit, examine such plans and specifications and other data and the premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign or other advertising structure, and if it shall appear that the proposed structure is in compliance with all of the requirements of this Article and all other laws of the City, the enforcement agency shall issue the permit. The applicant must commence work authorized under an erection permit within sixty (60) days of the date of issuance or the permit shall become null and void. Work authorized under the permit shall proceed in a diligent and workmanlike manner until work authorized under the permit is completed.

E. Revocation.

1. All rights and privileges acquired under the provisions of this Chapter or any amendment thereto are mere licenses revocable for cause at any time by the Board of Aldermen, and all such permits shall contain this provision.

2. The enforcement agency is hereby authorized to recommend the revocation of any permit upon failure of the holder thereof to comply with any provision of this Chapter.

F. Fee Schedule. Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by the applicable fees, which shall be established by the Board of Aldermen from time to time by separate ordinance.

G. Penalties. Any person erecting, constructing or altering any sign structure without obtaining a permit or paying the permit fee as required in this Chapter shall, in addition to the payment of such permit fee, pay an additional penalty fee of fifty dollars ($50.00).

Section 405.610 Maintenance.

[R.O. 2012 §405.610; Ord. No. 522 §§1—3, 12-1-1992]

A. Existing Sign Maintenance. All signs shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in compliance with applicable provisions of the Building Code and the Electrical Code of the City. Except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and window signs conforming in all respects with the requirements of this Chapter, all signs shall be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame, or structure.

B. Removal Of Unsafe Or Illegal Signs. If the enforcement agency shall find that any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected, or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this Chapter, it shall give written notice to the permittee thereof. If the permittee fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within ten (10) days after such notice, such sign or other advertising structure may be removed or altered to comply by the enforcement agency at the expense of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it is located. The enforcement agency shall refuse to approve a permit to any permittee or owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed. The enforcement agency may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.

C. Sign Maintenance Enforcement.

1. All signs within the City shall be maintained in a safe condition and in such a manner that they shall not become a visual detriment to the community at large. The designated official shall be charged with the responsibility and authority to inspect all signs within the City and direct the maintenance of said signs. "Maintenance of signs" is defined as keeping sign structures in a safe condition, free of rust, with broken glass or plastic replaced, electrical lights and other electrical operations in operable condition, letters and other sign components in the equivalent condition as on the sign permit or as approved.

2. Should the enforcement agency find a "non-maintained sign" as defined above, it shall cause the owner of said sign to be notified as to the deficiency and the corrective action that needs to be taken.

3. Should the owner fail to exhibit evidence of compliance within thirty (30) days after the mailing of the letter of notification, the enforcement agency shall cause the owner to be cited for violation of this Chapter.

4. Painted sign maintenance. The "owner" of any sign as defined and regulated by this Chapter shall be required to have properly painted at least once every two (2) years all parts and supports of the sign, unless the same are galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust.

Section 405.620 Non-Conforming Signs.

[R.O. 2012 §405.620; Ord. No. 522 §§1—3, 12-1-1992]

A. For the purpose of this Section, a "non-conforming sign" shall be defined as a sign existing on December 1, 1992, which could not be built under the terms of this Chapter or under the terms of other City Regulations.

1. Signs which are non-conforming, as provided in this Chapter, shall not be repaired, altered or moved unless it be made to comply with the provisions of this Chapter. No alteration of non-conforming signs shall be undertaken without the issuance of a permit. No fee will be charged for the permit, provided the alterations do not substantially alter the basic design or concept of the sign.

2. Should any non-conforming sign be damaged by any means to an extent of more than fifty percent (50%) of its replacement cost at the time of damage, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter.

Section 405.630 District Regulations.

[R.O. 2012 §405.630; Ord. No. 522 §§1—3, 12-1-1992; Ord. No. 604 §1, 4-22-1998; Ord. No. 656, 6-19-2001]

A. "A-1" Agricultural And "R-S" Residential Suburban District.

1. Functional types permitted.

a. Bulletin board signs.

b. Business signs pertaining only to the sale of agricultural products produced on the premises and home occupations.

c. Construction signs.

d. Identification signs.

e. Name plate signs.

f. Real estate signs.

2. Structural types permitted.

a. Ground signs.

b. Wall signs.

3. Number of signs permitted. One (1) sign per zoning lot.

4. Maximum gross area.

a. Bulletin board and identification signs. Sixteen (16) square feet.

b. Business signs.

(1) Business signs, home occupations. Two (2) square feet;

(2) Agricultural. Twenty (20) square feet.

c. Construction signs. Sixteen (16) square feet.

d. Name plate signs. Two (2) square feet.

e. Real estate signs. Six (6) square feet.

5. Maximum height. Eight (8) feet.

6. Required setbacks. None.

7. Illumination. Bulletin board and identification signs that do not exceed twelve (12) square feet on one (1) face for churches, hospitals, Police Stations, Fire Stations, and other similar public facilities may be indirectly illuminated.

B. "R-1" Single-Family Dwelling Districts, "R-2" Two-Family Dwelling Districts, And "R-3" Multiple-Family Dwelling Districts.

1. Function types permitted.

a. Business signs pertaining to a home occupation and subject to the sign requirements of home occupations, Section 405.410, of this Chapter.

b. Bulletin board signs.

c. Construction signs.

d. Identification signs.

e. Name plate signs.

f. Real estate signs.

2. Structural types permitted.

a. Ground signs.

b. Wall signs.

3. Number of signs permitted. One (1) sign per zoning lot.

4. Maximum gross area.

a. Business signs, home occupations. Two (2) square feet.

b. Bulletin board and identification signs. Six (6) square feet.

c. Construction signs. Twenty (20) square feet.

d. Name plate signs. Two (2) square feet.

e. Real estate signs. Six (6) square feet, provided that one (1) sign not more than one hundred (100) square feet in area announcing the sale of lots and/or houses in a subdivision may be located on said development. Said sign shall be removed at the end of three (3) years or when seventy-five percent (75%) of the lots have been sold, whichever occurs sooner.

5. Maximum height. Eight (8) feet.

6. Required setback. No sign shall be placed closer to the front property line than one-half (½) the distance of the front yard.

7. Illumination. Bulletin boards and identification signs may be indirectly illuminated with incandescent or fluorescent lighting.

C. "M-P" Manufactured Home Park District.

1. Functional types permitted.

a. Construction signs.

b. Identification signs.

c. Real estate signs.

2. Structural types permitted.

a. Ground signs.

b. Wall signs.

3. Number of signs permitted. One (1) sign per home space.

4. Maximum gross area. Sixteen (16) square feet.

5. Maximum height. Eight (8) feet.

6. Required setbacks. No sign shall be placed closer to the front property line than one-half (½) the distance of the front yard.

7. Illumination. Signs may be illuminated indirectly.

D. "C-4" Central Business District.

1. Functional types permitted.

a. Bulletin board signs.

b. Business signs.

c. Construction signs.

d. Identification signs.

e. Name plate signs.

f. Real estate signs.

2. Structural types permitted.

a. Awning, banners, canopy, or marquee signs.

b. Projecting signs.

c. Wall signs.

d. Pole signs.

3. Number of signs permitted.

a. Awning, canopy, marquee or wall signs. No limitation.

b. Projecting signs. One (1) per zoning lot.

c. Pole signs. One (1) per recorded lot.

4. Maximum gross surface area. Signs shall not exceed a gross surface of two hundred (200) square feet; except projecting signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet.

5. Maximum height. Not applicable.

6. Required setback. None.

7. Illumination. Illuminated signs shall be permitted.

E. "C-2" General Commercial District.

1. Functional types permitted.

a. Bulletin board signs.

b. Business signs.

c. Construction signs.

d. Identification signs.

e. Name plate signs.

f. Real estate signs.

2. Structural types permitted.

a. Awning, banners, canopy, or marquee signs.

b. Ground signs.

c. Projecting signs.

d. Wall signs.

e. Pole signs.

3. Number of signs permitted.

a. Awning, canopy, marquee or wall signs. No limitation.

b. Ground signs. One (1) per zoning lot.

c. Projecting signs. One (1) per zoning lot.

d. Pole signs. One (1) per recorded lot.

4. Maximum gross surface area. Signs shall not exceed a gross surface area of two hundred (200) square feet, projecting signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet; ground signs shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet if set back no more than ten (10) feet from a property line; and may be increased ten (10) square feet in surface area and two (2) feet in height for each two (2) feet in additional setback; up to a maximum of sixty-five (65) square feet in surface area and ten (10) feet in height.

5. Maximum height. Ten (10) feet; ground signs six (6) feet, except as otherwise provided.

6. Required setback. None, except that any sign that exceeds one hundred (100) square feet in gross surface area shall be setback ten (10) feet from the front property line, unless otherwise specified, and ground signs shall be set back no less than ten (10) feet.

7. Illumination. Illuminated signs shall be permitted.

F. "I-1" Industrial District.

1. Functional types permitted.

a. Bulletin board signs.

b. Business signs.

c. Construction signs.

d. Identification signs.

e. Name plate signs.

f. Real estate signs.

2. Structural types permitted.

a. Awning, canopy, or marquee signs.

b. Ground signs.

c. Projecting signs.

d. Wall signs.

3. Number of signs permitted.

a. Ground signs. One (1) per zoning lot.

b. Others. Two (2) per zoning lot.

4. Maximum gross surface area.

a. No single sign shall exceed a gross surface area of three hundred (300) square feet.

b. Ground signs. Same as in "C-2" District, except that sign height may be increased to twenty (20) feet and surface area to one hundred (100) square feet.

5. Maximum height.

a. Wall signs. Not above the highest point of the structure on which the sign is located.

b. All other signs. Ten (10) feet.

6. Required setbacks. None, except that advertising signs shall maintain the same setback that is required for principal structures and shall be no farther from a dedicated State highway right-of-way than one hundred (100) feet, and shall be no closer than five hundred (500) feet to another advertising sign.

7. Illumination. Illuminated signs shall be permitted.

G. Highway Corridor Zone. For platted lots of which any portion is adjacent to the Highway 50 right-of-way, there shall be allowed one (1) pole sign which may direct attention to all of the businesses, commodities, services, entertainment or attractions conducted, sold, offered or existing upon the same platted lot where such sign is displayed, provided such platted lot has at least one hundred (100) feet of street frontage and ten thousand (10,000) square feet of total lot area. Said sign shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet in size nor have more than two (2) sides and shall not exceed eighty-five (85) feet in height. The minimum clearance from the bottom of said sign shall be at least fifteen (15) feet above the elevation of the nearest public street.

For all platted lots, which are adjacent to the Highway 50 right-of-way and another cross street, one (1) additional pole sign may be erected on the adjoining street that conforms to the existing pole sign zoning for that area.