Cross Reference: As to signage of home occupation businesses, § 615.030.
[R.O. 1993 § 425.010; Ord. No.
2255 § 1, 11-9-1993; Ord. No. 2691 § 1, 7-14-2009]
As used in this Chapter, the following words shall be construed
to have the meaning set forth below:
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than
upon the same lot where the billboard appears.
A temporary sign used during construction of new buildings
or renovation of existing buildings identifying the contractors, engineers,
architects or financial institutions involved in the building construction
or development.
A sign that presents a message through illumination of flashing,
intermittent, or moving lights forming the letters, numbers or symbols
of the message, whether or not the message appears to move across
the sign face.
A sign that is intended to be expanded by air or other gas
for proper display or support.
A sign placed or maintained by or on behalf of a governmental
body, governmental agency, public authority or approved directional
signs to religious institutions, such as traffic signs, signals or
regulatory devices or warnings; official emblems, public notices or
official instruments; indicators or historical interest sites or designating
areas of architectural or historic significance or gateways.
Any identification, description, illustration or device which
is affixed to or represented directly or indirectly upon any building,
structure or land, and which directs the attention to a product, place,
activity, person, business or profession conducted on the premises
or within the building where displayed.
A sign associated with a temporary event having a specific
duration or the end of which is related to a specific action, usually
lasting for less than twelve (12) months at a time. Temporary events,
as contrasted to special events, include such activities as:
A political campaign, referendum or ballot proposition put to
the voters as part of City, State or Federal governance.
The offering of a property or premises for sale or lease.
The construction of a building or development project or the
rehabilitation, remodeling or renovation of a building.
[R.O. 1993 § 425.020; Ord. No.
2255 § 1, 11-9-1993; Ord. No. 2364 § 3, 6-9-1998; Ord. No. 2691 § 2, 7-14-2009]
A.
No
sign shall be placed or maintained upon a public street or the City-owned
canopy which lies adjacent to and facing either side of Main Street
from the north side of Cypress Street to the south side of Court Street,
or on or adjacent to any intersecting street where a City-owned canopy
is maintained but only above and below such canopy, except as follows:
1.
Commercial and business signs may be affixed to the City-owned and
maintained canopy in front of a business but the signs shall be of
a uniform size, one (1) foot wide and five (5) feet long. All signs
shall be of a uniform color, with the background color to be chosen
and designated by the City Manager. If a business has an adopted or
corporate logo, said logo and/or color may be incorporated into the
configuration of the sign. All other lettering on such signs shall
be black and shall not exceed six (6) inches in height. The border
on said sign, if any, shall be black. The style of lettering and style
of boarder shall be left to the discretion of the business owner who
erects such sign.
2.
Commercial or business signs may be affixed to the City-owned canopy
parallel to the street but shall be attached so that the top of the
sign is at least three (3) inches from the bottom of the gutter on
the canopy.
3.
No more than one (1) sign parallel to the street may be attached
to the City-owned canopy between each set of brick pillars below the
canopy.
4.
Exceptions For Second Story Windows. Notwithstanding any provision
to the contrary, where a business is maintained solely in a second
story office with a window or windows facing on Main Street from the
north side of Cypress Street to the south side of Court Street, or
on any intersecting street where a City-owned canopy is maintained,
said business may place lettering upon window or windows to advise
the public of its occupancy of said premises.
5.
Exception For Store Windows. Notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary herein, signs may be lettered upon or placed within any window
of a building facing upon Main Street or any street intersecting therewith
from the north side of Cypress Street to the south side of Court Street.
[R.O. 1993 § 425.025; Ord. No.
2395 § 1, 1-12-1999]
A.
Signs
as defined in this Section are permitted in the General Business District
("B-1") provided that said signs must:
1.
Not inhibit visibility for vehicular traffic.
2.
Be located at least ten (10) feet from existing curb.
3.
Not be located within City, State or Federal easements.
4.
Not constitute a nuisance because of glare or flashing.
5.
Not project over property lines.
6.
Be maintained as to not create a dangerous condition to the safety
of the public.
[R.O. 1993 § 425.026; Ord. No.
2691 § 3, 7-14-2009]
A.
Temporary
Event Signs. Signs associated with a temporary event shall comply
with the following:
1.
Duration. The sign may be placed upon initiation of the temporary
event and shall be removed within ten (10) working days of termination
of the temporary event. "Initiation" and "termination" of particular
temporary events shall be interpreted as follows:
a.
Election. Initiation upon the last day of qualification of candidates
or certification of a ballot question and termination upon the election
of a candidate to office or resolution of a ballot question.
b.
Real Estate Sale Or Lease. Initiation upon the actual availability
of the property or premises for sale or lease and termination upon
execution and completion of a real estate transaction.
c.
Building Construction Or Renovation. Initiation upon issuance of
a building permit and termination upon approval given after final
inspection for work authorized by the building permit.
2.
Size.
a.
Single-Family And Two-Family Residences. Temporary event signs located
on properties occupied by or zoned for single-family or duplex residences
shall not exceed six (6) square feet in sign structure area and five
(5) feet in sign height.
b.
Multi-Family And Non-Residential Uses. Temporary event signs located
on properties occupied by or zoned for multi-family or non-residential
uses shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in sign structure
area and eight (8) feet in sign height.
[R.O. 1993 § 425.030; Ord. No.
2364 § 3, 6-6-1998; Ord. No. 2515 § 1, 11-12-2002]
B.
No
billboard shall be placed within one thousand four hundred (1,400)
feet of another billboard. This Subsection shall not apply to billboards
which are located on opposite sides of the street to which the billboard
is oriented.
C.
No
billboard shall be placed within thirty (30) feet of a street.
D.
No
billboard shall be placed within one hundred (100) feet of a residential
structure.
E.
For
purposes of placing billboards, a V-type billboard or a back-to-back
type of billboard shall be considered one (1) billboard.
F.
No
billboard shall be located in such a manner as to obscure an official
traffic sign, signal or device, or obstruct a driver's view of approaching
or interesting traffic.
G.
The
maximum area of a billboard sign face shall be three hundred (300)
square feet. The maximum length of a billboard sign face shall be
thirty (30) feet.
H.
There
shall be a minimum clearance of ten (10) feet from grade of the street
to which the billboard is oriented to the bottom of a billboard sign
face. There shall be a maximum height of thirty (30) feet from grade
of the street to which the billboard is oriented to the top of a billboard
sign face.
I.
Billboards
may be illuminated, subject to the following restrictions:
1.
No revolving or rotating beam or beacon of light shall be permitted
as part of any billboard. Flashing devices shall not be permitted
upon a billboard. However, illuminated billboards which indicate customary
public information, such as time, date, temperature or other similar
information shall be permitted.
2.
External lighting, such as floodlights, thin line and gooseneck reflectors,
are permitted, provided the light source is directed on the face of
the billboard and is effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or
rays of light from being directed into any portion of the street.
3.
The illumination of any billboard within one hundred (100) feet of
a residential Zone shall be diffused or indirect in design to prevent
direct rays of light from shining into adjoining residential districts.
J.
The
following billboards shall not be permitted to remain or to be erected:
1.
Billboards which have been erected without a building permit.
2.
Billboards which are not clean and in good repair.
3.
Billboards which appear to attempt to regulate, warn, or direct the
movement of traffic or which interfere with, imitate, or resemble
any official traffic sign, signal or device.
4.
Billboards which are erected or maintained upon trees or painted
or drawn upon rocks or other natural features.
5.
Billboards which are non-conforming and damaged or destroyed to an
extent of more than sixty percent (60%) of fair market value.
6.
Billboards that prevent ingress or egress from any doors, windows,
or fire escapes. Billboards that are attached to a standpipe or fire
escape.
K.
All
billboards shall meet State of Missouri guidelines.
[R.O. 1993 § 425.035; Ord. No.
2691 § 4, 7-14-2009]
A.
Sign
Or Billboard Permit. A sign or billboard permit shall be obtained
from the Administrative Officer prior to installation or construction
of any sign or billboard regulated under this Chapter except for those
temporary event signs specifically exempted under this Chapter. Sign
or billboard permits shall be granted pursuant to the following provisions:
1.
Applications for permits shall be made upon forms provided by the
City Clerk.
3.
Time Limits. If the work authorized by a sign or billboard permit
has not been completed within six (6) months after the date of approval,
such permit shall become null and void and a new permit shall be applied
for and issued prior to erecting a sign or billboard.
4.
Completion. The erector or installer of the sign or billboard shall
notify the Administrative Officer of the completion of installation.
The Administrative Officer shall within fourteen (14) days take, develop,
date and file appropriate colored pictures of the sign or billboard.
Said file shall be maintained by the Administrative Officer and shall
be open for public inspection during normal business hours thereafter.
B.
Sign
Maintenance.
1.
All signs or billboards, together with all their supports, braces,
guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair and, unless constructed
of galvanized or non-corroding metal, shall be given a protective
coating as necessary to maintain a clean appearance and safe condition.
2.
All signs or billboards shall be maintained in accordance with all
City ordinances, including ordinances regulating nuisances and vegetation.
C.
Removal
Of Abandoned And Illegal Signs Or Billboards.
2.
Signs Or Billboards For Removal.
a.
Illegal signs or billboards may be removed immediately by an order
of the City Manager.
b.
Signs or billboards that are deemed to be abandoned or otherwise
found to be in violation of this Chapter shall be removed by the owner
of the sign or billboard or the owner of the premises within thirty
(30) days from written notice by the City Manager. The City Manager
shall have the discretion to grant an additional thirty (30) days
for the required improvement to be made to correct the deficiencies.
Any sign or billboard not removed within the time period required
by this Subsection may be removed by the City and all costs charged
to the owner of the premises upon which the sign or billboard was
located, or the owner of the sign or billboard.
c.
Should any sign or billboard become unsecured or in danger of falling
or otherwise unsafe in the opinion of the City Manager, the owner
or person or firm maintaining the sign or billboard shall, upon written
notice from the City Manager, forthwith in the case of immediate danger
and in any case within ten (10) days, remove such sign or billboard
or secure same in a manner approved by the City Manager. Any such
sign or billboard not removed or secured within ten (10) days from
the written notice may be removed by the City and all cost charged
to the owner or agent or person having beneficial interest in the
building or premise upon which the sign or billboard was located or
to the owner or agent or person having beneficial interest in the
sign or billboard.
d.
If any sign or billboard is installed, erected or constructed in
violation of this Chapter, the owner or person or firm maintaining
the sign or billboard shall, upon written notice from the City Manager,
within ten (10) days, remove the sign or billboard or bring same into
compliance with this Chapter. Any sign or billboard which is not removed
or properly altered within ten (10) days from the written notice may
be removed by the City and all costs charged to the owner, agent or
person having beneficial interest of the building or premised upon
which the sign or billboard was located or to the owner or agent or
person having beneficial interest in the sign or billboard.
[Ord. No. 2891, 12-13-2016]
As used in this Article, the following words shall be construed
to have the meaning set forth below:
A sign designed or intended to promote, oppose, disparage,
or otherwise call attention to a candidate, political party or organization,
political campaign, referendum, or ballot issue put to the voters
as part of any Federal, State, municipal or other governmental election
or referendum.
Any device, material, placard, or other thing affixed to
or upon any building or structure (including structural trim) or erected
or placed upon any land which displays any colors, name(s), word(s),
message or symbol of any kind designed or intended to attract or direct
public attention to a place, activity, person, organization, issue
or cause.
[Ord. No. 2891, 12-13-2016]
No person shall erect, install, affix or place a political sign
upon any building, structure (including structural trim) or land within
the City limits of Charleston, Missouri, except in compliance with
the standards, requirements, limitations and conditions set forth
in this Article. A political sign which meets the requirements set
forth below may be erected, installed and maintained during the period
from the last date for a candidate to file a declaration of candidacy
or for certification of a ballot issue and terminating on the date
of the primary or general election for which the candidate or issue
who or which is the subject of the sign is on the ballot. Political
signs must be removed from a highway or street right-of-way within
ten (10) days immediately following the election day for which the
candidate or issue is on the ballot. All political signs shall meet
and conform to the following standards and requirements, to wit:
A.
No
political sign shall be erected or placed within ten (10) feet of
any street intersection;
B.
No
political sign shall be erected or placed in a manner or in such a
location as to obscure traffic signs or obscure or interfere with
the visibility of motorists or pedestrians along City streets, alleys
or sidewalks; and
C.
Political
signs shall be designed, constructed, maintained, erected, affixed,
or placed in such a manner as to not pose a hazard to public health
or safety.
D.
Political signs shall be subject to the same size regulations as all other temporary event signs as set forth in Section 425.040(A)(2).
[Ord. No. 2891, 12-13-2016]
A.
Signs
which are affixed to a building or land merely displaying the address
or location of the headquarters or offices of a political candidate,
political party or other political organization shall be exempt from
the requirements of this Section.
B.
The
provisions of this Article shall not apply to bumper stickers or other
signs attached to motor vehicles nor to placards or signs held or
carried by protestors.
[Ord. No. 2891, 12-13-2016]
Whenever the City Manager or his/her duly authorized representative
determines that any sign is in violation of the provisions of this
Article, such official shall thereupon cause written notice of the
violation to be given to the owner of record of the premises whereat
the sign is located, if he/she can be located, or the person in custody
of such signs by registered mail or by personal service. The notice
shall state such sign is in violation of the provisions of the sign
ordinance and shall briefly state the corrections necessary to comply
with this Article and further state that such violation shall be abated
within seven (7) days from giving or mailing of such notice. In the
event no owner or custodian can be found or discovered, then the notice
shall be affixed to the sign and posted in a public place in lieu
of the mail or delivery.
[Ord. No. 2891, 12-13-2016]
If any sign becomes hazardous to pedestrian or vehicular traffic
by reasons of obstruction of streets, alleys, sidewalks or fire access
or exit lanes by restricting sight distances for vehicle or pedestrian
traffic or is located so close to travel lanes or parking areas that
it is struck by maneuvering vehicles, or obstructs visibility of traffic
control signs, then such sign shall be relocated, removed or otherwise
protected within twenty-four (24) hours of notification that such
danger or nuisance does exist. The City Manager or his/her designee
shall cause such notice to be served by delivering the same, verbally
or in writing, in person to the owner, tenant or occupant of the property
where such sign is located.
[Ord. No. 2891, 12-13-2016]
It shall be the duty of the owner, tenant or occupant of the
building, structure or land upon which a non-conforming or hazardous
political sign has been affixed, erected or placed to comply with
any notice issued and received as provided for in this Article and
to abate the violations within the time period specified in such notice.
If such owner, tenant or occupant fails or refuses to abate the violation
within such time period, such failure is declared to be unlawful and
the sign may be removed and disposed of at the direction of the City
Manager or his/her duly authorized representative, at the expense
of the owner thereof. Any monies received by the City from disposing
of the sign shall be applied to the expenses to be charged to the
owner thereof. Upon removal of the nuisance, the City Manager or other
designated City Official shall certify the costs of same to the City
Clerk who shall cause a special tax bill to issue therefore against
the property to be prepared and to be collected by the Collector with
other taxes assessed against the real estate of the owner, and the
tax bill from the date of its issuance shall be prima facie evidence
of recitals therein and of its validity and no mere clerical error
or informality in the same, or in the proceedings leading up to the
issuance, shall be a defense thereto. Each special tax bill shall
be issued by the City Clerk and delivered to the Collector on or before
the first day of June of each year. Such tax bill, if not paid when
due, shall bear interest at a rate of ten percent (10%) per year.
[Ord. No. 2891, 12-13-2016]
In those situations when the placement of a political sign is
not possible due to an inability to meet the standards established
by this Article, an applicant may petition the Planning and Zoning
Commission requesting a variance to one (1) or several of these standards.
Applicant must demonstrate that the conflict with the spirit and intent
of this Article will pose no threat to public health, safety or welfare.
If the Planning and Zoning Commission approves, a conditional permit
will be issued.
[Ord. No. 2891, 12-13-2016]
Any person who violates the provisions of this Article, upon
conviction, shall be deemed guilty of an ordinance violation punishable
by a fine not less than one dollar ($1.00) nor more than five hundred
dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment not exceeding ninety (90) days,
or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day the violation exists
shall be deemed a separate offense.
