City of Valley Park, MO Sign Regulations

It is the intent of this Chapter to regulate and control the location, erection, number, and maintenance of signs and matters relating thereto within the City of Valley Park, Missouri, in order to promote public safety, health, and general welfare of the community. These regulations are specifically designed to:

Provide for uniform regulation and orderly development of signs consistent with established policies and ordinances of the City.

Prohibit hazardous and dangerous signs.

Provide a desirable and attractive living environment through harmonious and uniform signage.

Section 515.030 Scope.

[R.O. 2013 §515.030; CC 1984 §4-62; Ord. No. 887 §2.02, 8-19-1987]

The provisions of this Chapter shall govern the erection, alteration, and maintenance of all signs and outdoor display structures, together with their appurtenant and auxiliary devices, with respect to location, size, content, construction, structure, and fire safety.

The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to:

Flags of any nation, State, County, City or other governmental unit and any not-for-profit organization;

Temporary decorations or displays celebrating the occasion of traditionally accepted patriotic, religious or local holidays or events;

The erection, construction, and maintenance of official traffic, fire and police signs, signals and devices and markings of the State, County or City;

Non-illuminated directional or informational signs of a public nature;

Political signs or signs announcing political candidates or issues, but which such signs must be removed within seven (7) days after the election, except in the case of a general election following a primary election. For successful candidates such signs may remain until two (2) weeks after the general election;

Residential garage or patio sale signs not to exceed six (6) square feet and located upon the premises where the sale is taking place;

Property real estate signs not exceeding six (6) square feet in area, which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which said signs are located only;

Bulletin boards not over thirty-two (32) square feet in area for public, charitable, or religious institutions which are located on the premises of said institutions;

Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials;

10.

Professional nameplates, or occupational signs, and home occupation signs not exceeding one-half (.5) square feet in area, wall-mounted adjacent to the main entrance of the building; or

11.

Signs erected inside a building not visible through windows.

Section 515.040 Rules and Definitions.

[R.O. 2013 §515.040; CC 1984 §4-63; Ord. No. 887 §2.03, 8-19-1987]

Rules Of Construction. For the purpose of this Chapter, certain rules of construction shall apply to the text as follows:

Words used in the present tense include the future tense; and the singular includes the plural, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.

The terms "shall" and "must" are always mandatory and not discretionary; the words "may" or "should" are permissive.

Words or terms not interpreted or defined by this Section shall be used with a meaning of common or standard utilization.

The word "person" includes a firm, corporation, association, partnership, trust, company, or corporation, as well as an individual.

The words "use" or "occupy" shall include the words "intended", "designed", "arranged" to be "used" or "occupied".

Definitions. The following definitions shall apply in interpretation and enforcement of this Chapter unless otherwise specifically stated:

ABANDONED SIGN

A sign which no longer correctly directs or exhorts any person, advertises a bona fide business, lessor, owner, project or activity conducted or product available on the premises where such sign is displayed.

ANIMATED SIGNS

Any sign which includes action or motion. For purposes of this Chapter, this term does not refer to flashing or changing, all of which are separately defined.

BANNER

A sign made of fabric, plastic, paper or other light pliable material, not enclosed in a rigid frame and characteristically suspended along or across a public street.

BUILDING FACE OR WALL

All window and wall area of a building in one (1) plane or elevation.

CANOPY

Any structure attached to a building at the inner end and supported on the other end, or a freestanding structure, with one (1) or more supports, meant to provide shelter from weather elements onto which signs may be affixed or incorporated.

CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN (MANUAL)

A sign on which copy is changed manually in the field, i.e., reader boards with changeable letters or changeable pictorial panels.

CHANGING SIGN (AUTOMATIC)

A sign such as an electronically or electrically controlled public service time, temperature and date sign, message center or reader board, where different copy changes are shown.

CHURCH BULLETIN BOARD

A sign attached to the exterior of a church or located elsewhere on church premises and used to indicate the services and/or other activities of the church, and including the church name, if desired.

CITY

The City of Valley Park, Missouri.

CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

The officially designated representative of the City of Valley Park responsible for the enforcement of the sign ordinance and other ordinances.

COPY

The wording or graphics on a sign surface.

DISTRICT

As defined under the zoning ordinance and Zoning District Map.

ERECT

To build, construct, reconstruct, attach, hang, rehang, alter, place, affix, enlarge, move or relocate and includes the painting and repainting of existing sign structures.

FACADE

The front or main part of a building facing a street; for purposes of this Chapter the "facade" is defined as measured from the ground elevation to the head beam.

FACE OF SIGN

The entire area of a sign on which copy could be placed. The area of a sign which is visible from one (1) direction as projected on a plane.

FLASHING SIGN

Any sign which contains an intermittent or flashing light source, or which includes the illusion of intermittent or flashing light by means of animation, or an externally mounted intermittent light source. Automatic changing signs such as public service time, temperature and date signs or electronically controlled message centers are not classed as "flashing signs".

FRONTAGE

The length of the lot along the street side. The front of a lot bordering more than one (1) street is considered separate for each street.

GASOLINE AND OIL SERVICE STATIONS

Any business which dispenses or is designed to dispense gasoline and/or oil for use in motor vehicles or boats.

GROUND LEVEL

Immediate surrounding grade.

HEIGHT OF SIGN

The vertical distance measured from the surrounding grade to the highest point of sign.

ILLEGAL SIGNS

A sign which contravenes this Chapter, or a non-conforming sign for which a permit required under a previous ordinance was not obtained.

INTERIOR PROPERTY LINE

Property lines other than those forming a dedicated public right-of-way.

LOGO

A letter, character, or symbol used to represent a person, corporation or business enterprise.

LOT

A parcel, tract, plot or area of land accessible by means of a street or other permanently reserved principal means of access. It may be a single parcel separately described in a deed or plat which is recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Deeds, or it may include parts of or a combination of such parcels when adjacent to one another and used as one (1) as determined by the Code Enforcement Officer.

OWNER

A person recorded as such on official records and including duly authorized agent or notary, a purchaser, lessee, devisee, judiciary; any person having a vested or contingent interest in the property or business in question.

PERSON

Any natural person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.

PREMISES

An area of land with its appurtenances and buildings which, because of its unity of use, may be regarded as the smallest conveyable unit of real estate.

READER BOARD

Any sign that has changeable or removable lettering.

RIGHT-OF-WAY (ROW)

The proposed right-of-way as indicated on the City of Valley Park, Missouri, Comprehensive Plan and/or as set forth in the City of Valley Park subdivision ordinance.

ROOFLINE

The highest point of the coping on a flat roof, false mansard, or parapet wall; the decline of a true mansard roof; the ridge line between the upper and lower slopes of a gambrel roof; or the mean height level between the eaves and ridge for a gable or hip roof.

SEASONAL OR SPECIAL OCCASION TEMPORARY SIGNS

A sign which is not permanent and is limited to a specific activity or in the celebration of holidays or other special events.

SETBACK

The minimum horizontal distance between either the face of curb, the edge of pavement, or the right-of-way line and the sign structure as specified in a particular Section of this Chapter.

SHOPPING CENTER

A building containing four (4) or more shops, stores, and other places of business, and providing off-street parking facilities in common for all of the businesses and their customers.

SHOW WINDOW SIGN

Any temporary sign advertising sales or specials attached to or within three (3) feet of the glass surface of any fixed window (glazing) visible from a public right-of-way.

SIGN

Any identification, description, illustration or device illuminated or non-illuminated which is visible from any public place or is located on private property and exposed to the public and which directs attention to a product, service, place, activity, person, institution, business or solicitation, including any permanently installed or situated merchandise, or any emblem, painting, banner, pennant or placard designed to advertise, identify or convey information, with the exception of window displays and national flags. For the purpose of removal, signs shall also include all sign structures. Not included are decorative devices or emblems as may be displayed on a residential mailbox. For the purposes of this Chapter, this definition shall include those signs painted directly upon a building or other structure.

SIGN AREA

The area of the sign face. The "sign area" of a multi-faced sign is the sum of the sign areas of each face, including structural trim, which can be seen from a single location on an adjacent street. If a sign is attached to a building or suspended in any manner whereby there is no apparent trim or confining border, the sign area shall be computed by drawing an imaginary straight line around a generally rectangular margin and measuring the area so encompassed upon a building or other structure.

SIGN, ATTACHED

A sign erected or placed upon the wall of any building with the plane of the face parallel to the plane of the wall below the roofline.

SIGN, COMMERCIAL DIRECTORY

A permanent pole sign designating the name of a commercial center and listing the various tenants of the center.

SIGN, CONSTRUCTION

A temporary sign used during construction of new buildings or reconstruction of or additions to existing buildings, such as those identifying the project and denoting the owner, architect, engineer, contractor, and/or financing institutions of the project.

SIGN, DIRECTIONAL

A sign which indicates a direction for vehicular or pedestrian traffic or other movements.

SIGN, FLUTTERING

A sign which flutters and includes banners, flags, pennants, or other flexible material which moves with the wind or by some artificial means.

SIGN, GROUND

Any detached sign on the same lot or parcel as the use it advertises which has its bottom portion erected upon or supported by the ground, a ground planter box, or other supports.

SIGN, HANGING

Any sign hanging entirely beneath a canopy, portico, or marquee.

SIGN, ILLUMINATED

Any sign which is illuminated by light sources mounted on or in the sign or at some other location.

SIGN, MEMORIAL OR TABLETS

The permanent part of a building which denotes the name of the building, date of erection, historical significance, dedication, or other similar information.

SIGN, NON-CONFORMING

A sign legally erected under the previously existing ordinances of the City, but which does not conform to the provisions of this Chapter.

SIGN, OCCUPATIONAL AND/OR IDENTIFICATION

An attached wall sign not larger than one-half (.5) square feet in area identifying the name of a person occupying a building.

SIGN, POLE

Any detached sign located on the same lot or parcel as the use it advertises which is supported by one (1) or more stationary poles no taller than thirty (30) feet above the mean grade line of the ground at its base provided that this shall not include a permitted ground sign as set forth.

SIGN, POLITICAL

A temporary sign advocating or opposing any political proposition or candidate for public office.

SIGN, PROJECT IDENTIFICATION

A permanent ground sign identifying an apartment complex, condominium project, and/or street names within the project.

SIGN, PROJECTING

Any sign which projects more than twelve (12) inches beyond the plane of the wall on which the sign is erected or attached.

SIGN, PROPERTY REAL ESTATE

A sign pertaining only to the prospective rental, lease, or sale of the property upon which it is located. Real estate signs shall be excluded from the definition of pole signs.

SIGN, RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Any temporary sign that provides direction to any residential development under construction, or promotes the residential development on the project site.

SIGN, ROOF

Any sign erected on a roof but excluding marquee and canopy signs and wall signs. The generally vertical plane of a mansard-type roof shall be interpreted as the same as a wall of a building.

SIGN STRUCTURE

The sign and all parts associated with its construction.

SIGN, SUBDIVISION IDENTIFICATION

A permanent ground sign identifying a subdivision entry, subdivision name, and/or street names within the subdivision.

SIGN SUPPORTS

All structures by which a sign is held up, including, for example, poles, braces, guys, and anchors.

SIGN, TEMPORARY

Any sign intended for a limited or intermittent period of display.

SIGN, WINDOW, TEMPORARY

A temporary sign affixed to the inside of an exterior window or glass door.

SPECIAL DISPLAYS

Signs not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet used for holidays, public demonstrations, or promotion of civil welfare or charitable purposes.

STANDARD OUTDOOR ADVERTISING STRUCTURE AND/OR BILLBOARD

Any sign intended to attract general public interest concerning a commercial enterprise, product, service, industry, or other activity not conducted, sold or offered on the premises upon which the sign is erected. This includes billboards, detached pole signs on separate parcels, wall signs and signs otherwise attached to buildings and/or supported by uprights or braces on the ground. Real estate signs and political signs are excluded from this definition.

STREET

A public thoroughfare which affords the principal means of access to abutting property.

TEMPORARY SIGN

A sign which is not permanent and is allowed for a specific time period.

USE

The purpose for which a building, lot, sign or other structure is arranged, intended, designed, occupied or maintained.

ZONING CODE

The Zoning Code of the City of Valley Park and the current Zoning District Map related thereto.

Section 515.050 Administration and Enforcement.

[R.O. 2013 §515.050; CC 1984 §4-64; Ord. No. 887 §2.04, 8-19-1987]

Administration.

Except where herein otherwise stated, the provisions of this Chapter shall be administered by the Code Enforcement Officer or by deputies of his/her department as the Board may designate to enforce provisions of this Chapter.

The Code Enforcement Officer (or his/her authorized representative) is hereby empowered in performance of its functions to enter upon any land in the City for the purpose of making inspections, examinations, and surveys, or to place and maintain thereon markers, notices, or signs required to effect provisions of this Chapter. The above authorized person shall be required to present proper credentials upon demand when entering upon any land or structure for the purpose of this Chapter.

Duties Of The Code Enforcement Officer.

The Code Enforcement Officer shall have the power to grant sign permits, and to make inspections of buildings or premises necessary to carry out his/her duties in the enforcement of this Chapter.

It shall be improper for the Code Enforcement Officer to approve plans or issue any permits or certificates for any sign until he/she has inspected such plans in detail and found them to conform with this Chapter, nor shall the Code Enforcement Officer vary or change any terms of this Chapter.

If the Code Enforcement Officer shall find that any of the provisions of this Chapter are being violated, he/she shall notify in writing the person responsible for such violations, indicating the nature of the violation and stating the action necessary to correct it. He/she shall order discontinuance of illegal use of land, buildings, or structures; removal of illegal signage; discontinuance of any illegal work being done; or shall take any other action authorized by this Chapter to insure compliance with or to prevent violation of its provisions.

Permit Required.

It shall be unlawful to commence or to proceed with the erection, construction, reconstruction, conversion, alteration, enlargement, extension, or moving of any sign or sign structure or any portion thereof without first having applied in writing to the Code Enforcement Officer for a sign permit to do so and a sign permit has been granted therefore. Primary responsibility for securing the necessary permits shall be the property owner's. However, if the property owner should contract part or all of the proposed work, it shall become the responsibility of the person or firm hired to ensure that all required permits and approvals have been secured prior to any work being initiated.

Blank forms shall be provided by the Code Enforcement Officer for the use of those applying for permits as provided in this Chapter. Any permits issued by the Code Enforcement Officer shall be on standard forms for such purpose and furnished by the Board of Aldermen. There shall be a separate permit for each sign to be constructed, altered, or erected.

Any sign permit under which no construction work has been commenced within six (6) months after the date of issuance of said permit or under which proposed construction has not been completed within one (1) year of the time of issuance shall expire by limitation.

Voiding Of Sign Permit. A permit may be revoked by the Code Enforcement Officer at any time prior to the completion of the sign for which the same was issued, when it shall appear to him/her that there is departure from the plans, specifications, or conditions as required under terms of the permit, that the same was procured by false representation, or that any provisions of this Chapter are being violated. Written notice of such revocation shall be served upon the owner, his/her agent, or contractor, or upon any person employed on the building or structure for which such permit was issued, via a stop work order which shall be posted in a prominent location, and thereafter no such construction shall proceed.

Compliance With Sign Permits. Sign permits issued on the basis of approved plans and applications authorize only the use, arrangement, and construction set forth in the approved plans and applications, and no other use, arrangement, or construction. Any use, arrangement, or construction at variance with that authorized shall be deemed a violation of this Chapter as provided herein.

Violations. If it is found that a sign is in violation of this Chapter, the Code Enforcement Officer, or his/her designee, shall give notice to the owner of the sign or, if the owner cannot be located, to the owner or property management agent of the premises on which the sign is located or, if the sign erection is not complete, to the sign erector either personally, by United States mail, or by posting such a notice on the premises, such notice stating:

The violations found;

The violations must be brought into compliance within the requirements of this and all other City ordinances within ten (10) days from the date of such notice;

The requirements which must be met; and

Any person found to be in violation of any provision of this Chapter shall be subject to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) or up to ninety (90) days imprisonment, or to both such fine and imprisonment, with each day of such violation constituting a separate offense without further notice being required.

Section 515.060 Prohibited Signs.

[R.O. 2013 §515.060; CC 1984 §4-65; Ord. No. 887 §2.05, 8-19-1987; Ord. No. 1065 §1, 4-22-1992; Ord. No. 1150 §1, 1-3-1994; Ord. No. 2058, 7-20-2020]

The following signs and advertising devices are hereby declared to be unlawful:

Animated signs;

Any sign erected in a location prohibited by this Chapter;

Any sign erected in a public easement or right-of-way;

Any sign erected so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door or window, or any other exit way required by the Building or Fire Codes of the City;

Any sign attached to any public utility pole, tree, fire hydrant, curb, sidewalk or other surface located on public property;

Any sign erected in any location where, by reason of its location, it will obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign, signal, or other traffic control device. Nor may any sign, by reason of its shape, position or color, interfere with or be confused with any authorized traffic signal, sign or device. Further, no sign shall be erected in a location where it will obstruct vision of the public right-of-way to a vehicle operator during ingress to, egress from, or while traveling on the public right-of-way;

Any on -premises sign advertising an article or product not manufactured, assembled, processed, repaired or sold or a service not rendered upon the premises upon which the sign is located; in the event an on-premises sign ceases to be an on-premises sign because a conveyance of the property on which it is located separates it from the establishment to which it refers, that sign shall become prohibited as of the effective date of the conveyance;

Any sign or advertising device such as banners and pennants affixed on poles, wires, ropes or streamers, wind-operated devices, fluttering signs, pinwheels, streamers, banners, street banners, and "A" frames or other portable signs of like nature, and other similar contraptions or techniques except that these devices may be used for a period of thirty (30) days in any twelve (12) month period by permit from the Code Enforcement Officer;

Vehicle signs, except for standard advertising or identification markings which are painted on or permanently attached to the side of a business or commercial vehicle. Such business or commercial vehicles shall not be parked in any required parking space, nor in any excess parking space adjacent to a street right-of-way;

10.

Off-site or off-premises signs except as provided in this Chapter;

11.

Flashing signs, however, not including signs which carry constant or moving messages which shall not grow, melt, x-ray, twinkle, snow or flash;

12.

Portable signs, signs not permanently affixed to the ground; and

13.

Signs which contain characters, cartoons, or contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent, prurient, or immoral character.

Any sign in violation of Subsection (A) can be removed by the City of Valley Park and will be held by the Director of Public Works for a period of ten (10) days after which the sign(s) will be disposed.

Section 515.070 Non-Conforming Signs.

[R.O. 2013 §515.070; CC 1984 §4-66; Ord. No. 887 §2.06, 8-19-1987]

Any sign legally existing prior to enactment of this Chapter, but which shall violate any provision of this Chapter, may continue to be maintained and used after passage of this Chapter subject to the following provisions:

Enlargement. No non-conforming sign shall be enlarged, expanded, or extended to occupy a greater square footage or height than was occupied on the date of adoption or amendment of this Chapter.

Relocation. No non-conforming sign shall be moved in whole or in part to any other portion of the lot, parcel or building not so occupied on the date of adoption of this Chapter, except that any such sign which is hereafter required to be moved by a governmental body for the purpose of construction, relocation, widening, or improvement of a street, highway, or other public purpose may be relocated once and allowed to be maintained and used as before.

Discontinuance. If the business or service advertised or identified by a non-conforming sign ceases to be conducted for a period exceeding thirty (30) calendar days, the non-conforming sign shall be classified as an "abandoned sign" and removed. See Section 515.090(E).

Destruction. Should any non-conforming sign be destroyed by any means to an extent of up to fifty percent (50%) of its surface area or structure, it shall not be reconstructed, except in conformance with the requirements of this Chapter. See Section 515.050(C).

Eventual removal. In any instance where a sign is non-conforming to any of the requirements of this Chapter, such signs, and supporting structure where necessary, shall be discontinued and removed not later than five (5) years from the date of passage of this Chapter.

Violations Not Made Valid. Any sign which is prohibited by this Chapter, and was erected in violation of the requirements of the previous City of Valley Park sign ordinance, shall not be considered to be granted non-conforming status by the passage of this Chapter.

Determination Of Non-Conformance.

Should any existing sign be enlarged, replaced, or reconstructed, it shall be considered a new sign. If an existing sign is repainted or the sign panels be replaced for the purpose of changing the business, occupation, or tenant advertised or identified, it shall be considered a new sign. However, the repainting of a sign for ordinary maintenance or the repair or restoration of an existing sign to a safe condition after being damaged by storm or other accidental act as shown in accordance with the original sign permit shall not constitute such a change as to classify the sign as a new one, subject to the provisions of Section 515.070(A)(4), Destruction.

In any instance, in cases of doubt or on a specific question raised, whether a non-conforming sign exists, shall be a question of fact, and shall be determined on appeal to the City Planning and Zoning Commission.

Section 515.080 Appeals.

[R.O. 2013 §515.080; CC 1984 §4-67; Ord. No. 887 §2.07, 8-19-1987]

Any aggrieved person, firm, corporation, any neighborhood organization as defined in Section 32.105, RSMo., representing such person, or any governmental officer, department, board or bureau may appeal a decision of the Code Enforcement Officer before the Board of Adjustment as established and in conformance with the requirements of the Valley Park zoning ordinance, subject to the further requirements of this Section.

Grounds For Granting A Variance. The Board of Adjustment may grant variances from this Chapter for any permitted form of signage where it is found that because of the limitations on character, size, or dimensions of a sign, or the regulations controlling the erection or installation of a sign, the applicant would be subject to undue hardship. Undue hardship is not considered the loss of possible advantage, economic loss or gain, or mere inconvenience to the applicant.

Appeals from decisions of the Board of Adjustment shall be to the Circuit Court in conformance with the requirements of the Valley Park zoning ordinance.

Section 515.090 General Sign Requirements.

[R.O. 2013 §515.090; CC 1984 §4-68; Ord. No. 887 §2.08, 8-19-1987]

Permit Number Displayed. Any sign hereafter erected following passage of this Chapter shall display the sign permit number upon the face of the sign in the lower right-hand corner in no less than one (1) inch letters and numerals. In the case of pole-mounted signs, the number shall be incorporated into the base of the sign structure.

Structural Requirements. All signs shall comply with the pertinent requirements of the Valley Park Building Code.

Safety. Any existing sign which is or becomes an immediate danger or hazard to persons or property because of being in an unsafe condition, or which obstructs any fire escape, window, or door is subject to immediate removal by the Code Enforcement Officer without notice and at the expense of the property and/or sign owner.

Maintenance. Each sign shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good condition. All existing signs shall be painted every two (2) years except where the sign is of a non-corroding material, galvanized, or otherwise treated to prevent rust. Broken panels, missing letters, flaking or peeling paint and other visual damage to a sign shall be repaired within forty-five (45) days of occurrence or within ten (10) days' notification by the Code Enforcement Officer.

Abandoned Signs. Any sign or sign structure which advertises a business no longer conducted, or service no longer rendered, or a product no longer sold on the premises or lot shall be classified an abandoned sign and shall be removed by the owner, agent, or person having beneficial use of the premises or lot upon which the sign is located within ten (10) days following written notice by the Code Enforcement Officer concerning its removal.

Illumination. Neither the direct nor reflected light from primary light sources shall create a traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares.

State Right-Of-Way Requirements. All signs erected within the jurisdiction of State right-of-way requirements shall meet both State and City requirements.

Section 515.100 Severability.

[R.O. 2013 §515.100; CC 1984 §4-69; Ord. No. 887 §2.09, 8-19-1987]

If any Section, Subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Chapter is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct, and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Chapter.

Section 515.110 Residential Signage.

[R.O. 2013 §515.110; CC 1984 §4-70; Ord. No. 887 §2.10, 8-19-1987]

One- And Two-Family Residential Uses.

Allowable signs.

Subdivision identification signs. Two (2) permanent subdivision identification signs not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in size per face shall be allowed per development. Where the development has access on two (2) or more streets, or has more than one (1) entrance on one (1) street, identification shall be allowed at each entrance.

Church, public or semi-public buildings, or public park identification sign. Not more than one (1) sign per street frontage not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in size per face.

Construction sign. Not more than one (1) sign per street frontage not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in size per face. See Subsection (C)(1) this Section.

Residential project construction sign.

(1)

Promotional sign. One (1) sign not exceeding one hundred twenty (120) square feet per face.

(2)

Directional signs. Any number of signs not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet per face. Such signs may include directions to the development and pertinent information concerning the developer, but shall not include promotional information.

Political signs.

Directional signs. Two (2) signs per entry/exit not exceeding six (6) square feet in size per face.

Memorial or tablet sign. One (1) sign not exceeding six (6) square feet in size per face unless such signs are installed by the Federal, State, County, or City Government or agencies thereof.

Property real estate signs. One (1) sign per lot frontage not exceeding six (6) square feet in size per face.

Special displays and other temporary signs. See Section 515.140(B).

Signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in size per side nor a height of four (4) feet from the ground which prohibit trespassing, or indicate privacy of premises, driveways, or streets.

Non-illuminated home occupation wall sign not exceeding two (2) square feet wall-mounted on the dwelling.

Official government flags.

Location and height.

No sign placed upon the ground shall be located closer than ten (10) feet to any property line and shall meet the sight triangle requirements provided for in this Code.

No sign attached to the wall of a building or other structure shall extend above the roofline of that building or structure.

For the signs included in Subsection (A)(1) of this Section, items (a) through (c) and item (g), no sign shall exceed eight (8) feet in height from the surrounding grade to the highest point of the sign.

Residential project construction sign.

(1)

Promotion sign. One (1) sign per major entrance to the subdivision or project site.

(2)

Direction sign. Any number of signs located off the premises of the subdivision or project site. Such signs shall not be erected in such a manner as to block the view of any pre-existing sign from the normal traffic level.

Direction signs. No sign shall exceed three and one-half (3½) feet above the elevation of the adjacent driveway at the point which it meets the street right-of-way.

Memorial or tablet signs. No sign shall exceed six (6) feet in height from the surrounding grade to the highest point on the sign.

Property real estate signs. No sign shall exceed six (6) feet in height from the surrounding grade to the highest point on the sign.

Other requirements.

Construction signs.

(1)

Signs identifying mechanics, painters, architects, engineers, and similar artisans and workmen which are attached to or on trailers on the site of construction shall be permitted provided that upon completion of the project the trailer must be removed within one (1) week. These trailers shall not be located closer than ten (10) feet to the street right-of-way if such signs are visible from the street.

(2)

All such signs shall be removed within either two (2) years from the date of issuance of the sign permit, or when the project has received an approved final inspection.

Residential construction project sign.

(1)

On-site sign. Such sign shall be removed either at such time as the permanent subdivision entrance sign is erected, or when eighty percent (80%) of the lots and/or dwelling units have been sold, whichever circumstance occurs first.

(2)

Off-site signs. Such signs shall be removed either within two (2) years from the date of issuance of the sign permit, or when eighty percent (80%) of the lots and/or dwelling units have been sold, whichever circumstance occurs first.

Property real estate signs. Shall be removed within ten (10) days following the date of closing or lease initiation.

Directional signs. May contain the street address and/or name of the business center or the name of the use of the building, trademark, logo, or similar matter, provided that not more than fifty percent (50%) of the sign area is used for this purpose.

Multiple-Family Residential Uses.

Allowable signs.

All signs permitted in Section 515.110(A)(1).

Project identification sign. One (1) sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in size per face shall be allowed per project except where the project fronts on two (2) or more streets, one (1) sign shall be permitted per frontage provided that the project has a major traffic entrance on the street where the sign is to be erected.

Location and height.

All heights and sign locations shall be governed by the requirements of Section 515.110(A)(2), except as otherwise permitted by this Section.

Project identification sign. No sign shall be more than six (6) feet in height from the surrounding grade to the highest point on the sign.

Directional signs. No sign shall exceed three and one-half (3½) feet above the elevation of the adjacent driveway at the point which it meets the street right-of-way.

Memorial or tablet signs. No sign shall exceed six (6) feet in height from the surrounding grade to the highest point on the sign.

Property real estate signs. No sign shall exceed six (6) feet in height from the surrounding grade to the highest point on the sign.

Other Requirements.

Construction signs. As permitted by Section 515.110(A)(3)(a).

Residential construction project sign. As permitted by Section 515.110(A)(3)(b).

Section 515.120 Commercial Signage.

[R.O. 2013 §515.120; CC 1984 §4-71; Ord. No. 887 §2.11, 8-19-1987; Ord. No. 1686 §1, 1-16-2006; Ord. No. 1690 §1, 2-6-2006]

Allowable Signs.

All signs permitted in Section 515.110(A)(1).

Attached signs. One (1) attached sign not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the total square footage of the building face upon which it is placed. In the instance of corner lots, an additional attached sign will be permitted on each street frontage of the building not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the total square footage of the respective building face upon which it is placed. For buildings with multiple tenants, see Subsection (C) hereof, Other Requirements.

Ground-mounted signs. One (1) ground-mounted sign per lot not exceeding forty (40) square feet per face may be substituted for the allowable pole sign.

Pole sign. One (1) pole sign per lot not exceeding thirty (30) square feet per face.

Occupational/identification sign. One (1) attached, non-illuminated sign not exceeding two (2) square feet in size displaying the name, occupation and/or service located upon the premises, and the address.

Permanent window signs. Shall not cover more than twenty percent (20%) of the total window area or door to which they are applied.

Directories. For buildings with multiple occupancies, a directory sign may be substituted in lieu of the allowable pole sign subject to review and approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission as to height and overall square footage.

Location And Height.

All signs permitted by Subsection (A)(1) of this Section shall be governed as to height and location by the requirements of Section 515.110(A)(2).

Attached signs. Shall be face mounted on the building wall projecting not more than twelve (12) inches from the face of the building. Such signs shall not project above the parapet wall, mansard, or other roofline, shall maintain a clearance of ten (10) feet above the ground or pavement, and shall be recessed where involving a pitched roof location.

Ground-mounted sign. Such signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height from the surrounding grade to the highest point on the sign and shall be located no closer than ten (10) feet to any property line. Such signs shall meet the sight triangle requirements of this code and shall not be located so as to obstruct vision at a vehicular entry or exit from the property.

Pole Signs. Such signs shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in height and shall conform to the same locational requirements of Subsection (B)(3) of this Section, Ground-mounted sign. The bottom of the sign shall be at least ten (10) feet above the surrounding grade. For commercial signage contiguous to Highway 141 and located in "C-1" and "C-2" zoned areas, the sign shall not exceed forty-five (45) feet in height. For commercial signage contiguous to Interstate 44 and located in "PD-C" and "C-2" zoned areas, the sign shall not exceed one hundred (100) feet in height.

[Ord. No. 1986, 7-17-2017]

Occupational/identification signs. Such signs shall conform to the locational requirements of Subsection (B)(2) of this Section, attached signs.

Window signs. Such signs may be attached to either the interior or exterior of a window or glass door and shall be maintained in good repair.

Directories.

For shopping centers with three (3) or more tenants and a total floor area of less than fifty thousand (50,000) square feet, a directory sign of two hundred (200) square feet of signage per side shall be authorized in lieu of the authorize pole sign. The multi-tenant centers that have entrances on each of two (2) intersecting streets, the center may have one (1) additional directory sign, provided that each sign shall be located adjacent to the abutting street.

For shopping centers with three (3) or more tenants and a total floor space of over fifty thousand (50,000) square feet, a directory sign of three hundred (300) square feet of signage per side shall be authorized in lieu of the allowed pole sign. The multi-tenant centers that have entrances on each of two (2) intersecting streets, the center may have one (1) additional directory sign, provided that each sign shall be located adjacent to the abutting street.

Directory signs shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in height and shall conform to the same locational requirements as all other signs.

The above are performance standards for multi-tenant shopping centers. Signage may be as approved by preliminary and final development plan, as part of a signage plan therein, approved by ordinance for centers approved by the planned development process.

Other Requirements.

Construction and residential construction project sign as permitted by Section 515.110(C)(1).

Each building or property shall be allowed a maximum of two (2) signs, which may be either an attached sign, a ground-mounted sign, or a pole sign, but the total number shall not include more than one (1) sign of each of these types of signs listed in Section 515.110(A)(1), as well as window signs and occupational/directional signs as regulated by this Section are excluded from this maximum of three (3) signs.

Buildings with multiple occupancy. For buildings and/or property containing more than one (1) business or tenant, each business or tenant may have an attached sign conforming to the requirements of this Section. For the purposes of determining the total square footage of the attached sign, only the face of each respective lease unit to which the respective sign will be attached shall be counted. Each sign must be attached to the lease unit containing the business or tenant identified.

Each building or property may have one (1) additional attached sign conforming to the requirements of this Section on walls containing a main entrance which face customer parking areas and are not visible from either a public or private street. For this exception to apply, the signs must be attached to the same wall as their respective entrances and both the signs and the entrances must be upon the same plane of the building.

Section 515.130 Industrial Signage.

[R.O. 2013 §515.130; CC 1984 §4-72; Ord. No. 887 §2.12, 8-19-1987]

Allowable Signs. All signs permitted by Section 515.120(A)(1).

Location And Height.

As regulated by Section 515.120(B).

Exception. Industrial uses having one (1) or more permanent building(s) may provide any number of illuminated wall or pole signs in any location on the premises or building, provided that such signs do not exceed the height, area, or setback requirements as set forth in this Chapter. (This exception shall not apply to commercial uses permitted within industrial zoning districts.)

Other Requirements. As regulated by Section 515.120(C).

Section 515.140 Special Use Signage.

[R.O. 2013 §515.140; CC 1984 §4-73; Ord. No. 887 §2.13, 8-19-1987]

Automobile And Truck Service Stations — Convenience Stores With Gasoline Pumps.

Allowable Signs.

[Ord. No. 1987, 7-17-2017; Ord. No. 2007, 4-2-2018]

Brand Identification Signs.

(1)

One (1) pole-mounted sign not exceeding thirty (30) square feet per face unless the pole-mounted sign is located contiguous to Highway 141 or Interstate 44 and located in "C-1," "C-2," "PD-C" or "I-1" (up to two hundred (200) feet from the northmost lane of Interstate 44) zoned areas in which areas the sign shall not exceed one hundred forty-four (144) square feet per face.

(2)

One (1) ground-mounted sign, in lieu of a pole-mounted sign, not exceeding forty (40) square feet in size per face unless the ground-mounted sign is located contiguous to Highway 141 and located in "C-1" or "C-2" zoned areas in which area the sign shall not exceed eighty (80) square feet per face or is located contiguous to Interstate 44 and located in "C-2," "PD-C" or "I-1" (up to two hundred (200) feet from the northmost lane of Interstate 44) zoned areas in which areas the sign shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet per face.

(3)

One (1) attached sign not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the total square footage of the building face upon which it is placed. In the instance of corner lots, an additional attached sign will be permitted on each street frontage of building not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the total square footage of the respective building face upon which it is placed.

(4)

One (1) attached company logo not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet per street frontage.

Price signs.

(1)

One (1) price sign per pump island not exceeding ten (10) square feet per face per sign.

(2)

One (1) price sign as a component of the permitted pole sign not exceeding ten (10) square feet per face in lieu of the price signs per pump island.

(3)

In those instances where digital price signs are utilized, such signs shall be constant in nature, and shall not travel, flush, inverse, write-on, up or down scroll, roll, grow, melt, x-ray, twinkle, snow, or otherwise change its nature.

Self-service and/or full-service signs. Two (2) self-service or full-service signs per pump island not exceeding ten (10) square feet per face per sign.

Federal and State stamps, octane ratings, pump use directions, no smoking signs, as required by Federal, State and local authorities.

Temporary signs. See Subsection (B) of this Section.

Location and height.

Brand identification signs.

(1)

Pole signs. As regulated by Section 515.120(B).

(2)

Ground-mounted signs. As regulated by Section 515.120(B).

(3)

Attached signs. As regulated by Section 515.120(B).

Company logos. As regulated by Section 515.120(B)(2), attached signs.

Price signs and self-service and/or full-service signs. Shall be located at the ends of pump islands and may be affixed to the canopy, canopy supports, poles, or end pumps.

Federal and State stamps, etc. Shall be placed upon the body of the gasoline pump, or as required by the respective governmental authority.

Other requirements.

Canopy use. An attached or detached canopy may be used in lieu of the permitted pole sign for the location of brand identification signs, or as an alternative location for price signs, or company logos.

Portable signs. The use of portable signs for the advertisement of cigarettes, food, or other sundry items is specifically prohibited.

Special Displays And Other Temporary Signs.

The following temporary signs may be approved by the Code Enforcement Officer for up to a thirty (30) day time period. Such signs may be extended beyond the thirty (30) day time period, but only upon review and approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Banners and pennants.

Signs announcing openings.

Seasonal or special occasion signs such as special events and special business hours.

Yard signs, such as "Siding by.".

Subdivision directional signs not exceeding three (3) square feet in size per face.

All other temporary signs not specifically referenced in this Chapter.

Portable signs, signs not permanently affixed to the ground.

Section 515.150 Fees for Permits.

[R.O. 2013 §515.150; CC 1984 §4-74; Ord. No. 887 §2.14, 8-19-1987]

Permits issued herein shall carry a fee of five dollars ($5.00) and shall also be subject to inspection fees.

Article II Off-Premises Signs and Billboards

Section 515.160 Off-Premise Billboard Defined.

[R.O. 2013 §515.160; Ord. No. 1368 §1(I), 11-3-1997]

As used herein, "off-premise billboards" shall mean all signs regulated within the boundaries of the City which are subject to the regulations set forth in Section 226.540, RSMo., 1994, as amended.

Section 515.170 Additional Definitions.

[R.O. 2013 §515.170; Ord. No. 1368 §1(II), 11-3-1997]

The definitions of words and phrases contained in Section 226.510, RSMo., 1994, as amended, are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and shall apply whenever such word or phrase is used herein.

Section 515.180 Rules and Regulations.

[R.O. 2013 §515.180; Ord. No. 1368 §1(III), 11-3-1997]

The following rules and regulations shall specifically apply to off-premises billboards:

Lighting.

No revolving or rotating beam or beacon of light that simulates any emergency light or device shall be permitted as part of any sign. No flashing, intermittent, or moving light or lights will be permitted except scoreboards and other illuminated signs designating public service information, such as time, date, or temperature, or similar information, will be allowed. Tri-vision, projection, and other changeable message signs shall be allowed subject to Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission regulations.

External lighting such as floodlights, thin line and gooseneck reflectors are permitted, provided the light source is directed upon the face of the sign and is effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed into any portion of the main traveled way of the interstate of Federal-aid primary highway and the lights are not of such intensity so as to cause glare, impair the vision of the driver of a motor vehicle, or otherwise interfere with a driver's operation of a motor vehicle.

No sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness of, or obscures, any official traffic sign, device, or signal, nor shall the illumination be directed toward any residential area.

The maximum average lighting intensity level for such sign shall be twenty (20) foot- candles.

Size of signs.

The maximum area for any one (1) sign shall be four hundred fifty (450) square feet with a maximum height of fifteen (15) feet and a maximum length of sixty (60) feet, inclusive of border and trim but excluding the base or apron, supports, and other structural members. The area shall be measured as established in rules promulgated by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The maximum size limitations shall apply to each side of a sign structure, and signs may be placed back to back, or in v-type construction with not more than one (1) display to each facing, but sign structure shall be considered as one (1) sign.

Spacing of signs.

Interstate highways and freeways on the Federal-aid primary system: No off-premises billboard shall be erected within five thousand two hundred eighty (5,280) feet of an existing sign on the same side of the highway.

Non-freeway Federal primary highways: No structure shall be erected within one hundred (100) feet of an existing sign.

The spacing between structure provisions of Subsection (3) of this Section do not apply to signs which are separated by natural surroundings, or other obstructions in such a manner that only one (1) sign facing located within such distance is visible at any one time. Directional or other official signs or those advertising the sale or lease of the property on which they are located, or those which advertise activities on the property on which they are located, including products sold, shall not be counted, or shall measurements be made from them for the purpose of compliance with spacing provisions.

No sign shall be located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise physically interfere with the effectiveness of any official traffic sign, signal, or device or obstruct or physically interfere with a motor vehicle operators' view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.

The measurement in this Section shall be minimum distances between outdoor advertising sign structures measured along the nearest edge of the pavement between points directly opposite the sign along each side of the highway and shall apply only to outdoor advertising sign structures located on the same side of the highway involved.

Setbacks, safety clearances and heights. In order to provide a safety zone to prevent injury or property damage from collapse of billboard caused by acts of God or other causes, each off-premises billboard shall have minimum setbacks of the following:

At least ninety (90) feet from its nearest edge to the right-of-way of any interstate or primary highway, and

At least ninety (90) feet from all property lines and from all roofed structures

from all points of the off-premises billboard. In order to further provide a safety zone to prevent injury or property damage from collapse of billboards caused by acts of God or other causes, each off-premises billboard shall have a maximum height, measured from the ground to the highest point of such off-premises billboard, of thirty-five (35) feet. In addition, the applicant for permit shall present documentation to the reasonable satisfaction of the City that the applicant has secured the legally enforceable right to prevent the erection of structures within the setback zones. No City building permit shall be issued for construction of any building within the setback/clearance zone for any off-premises billboard.

Setbacks at highway interchanges. No off-premises billboard shall be located adjacent to or within one thousand (1,000) feet of any interchange, existing or approved for construction by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department, intersection at grade, or safety rest area. Said one thousand (1,000) feet shall be measured from the beginning or ending of the pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main traveled way.

Setbacks from residential and public activity areas. No off-premises billboards shall be located within one thousand (1,000) feet of land zoned for residential or public activity purposes.

Landscaping, lighting and fencing. Before a permit is issued, the applicant shall receive approval for a plan for landscaping, billboard lighting and fencing around the proposed off-premises billboard to ensure that the structure will be aesthetically compatible with its surroundings and the aesthetic standard of the community and neighboring property, insofar as may be practicable, as well as safe and secure from trespassers or vandals. Such plans shall be reviewed and approved by the Development Review Board. In determining whether the landscaping plan is reasonably suitable, the Development Review Board shall take into consideration the nature of the location, the impact on surrounding properties, the safety and security of the proposed off-premises billboard, and the relative cost of the landscaping, lighting and fencing to the applicant in relationship to the overall impact upon the property values in the immediate area which would be caused by a lack of such landscaping, lighting and fencing for the proposed off-premises billboard.

Nuisances. Any off-premises billboard which, because of lack of maintenance, upkeep, vandalism, accumulation of litter, refuse or debris, or the deterioration of landscaping, lighting or fencing, becomes unsightly or unsafe is hereby declared to be a nuisance and shall be subject to abatement by the City in the same manner as all other nuisances on private property.

Service drives.

Direct access to off-premises billboards from curb cuts along a State highway or service road shall be prohibited. Direct access shall be gained through paved roads and drives which are private and internal to a lot or parcel.

All vehicles, equipment and people used to build, service, maintain and repair such signs must confine their activity so as not to interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic on public roads.

10.

Permits.

The City shall not issue a permit for any new off-premises billboard without a permit having first been issued by the Highway and Transportation Commission.

The City shall charge a permit fee equal in amount to its building permit fee for other signs or similar structures to assure compliance with the City wind load and electrical requirements when the sign is first erected, but shall not charge any subsequent permit or inspection fee for such sign.

Before a permit is issued, the applicant shall submit the following certification for the appropriate license professional regarding the following: Certification from a licensed engineer that the soil and subsoil surface is capable of accepting the projected loads; certification from an electrical engineer as to the electrical portion of the sign; certification from a structural engineer as to the structural strength of the sign and certified boundary survey of the site and its setback/clearance zone.

Before a permit is issued, the applicant shall submit a sign survey to indicate the relative vertical and horizontal distances between the proposed sign and all other pole-mounted signs within five thousand two hundred eighty (5,280) feet. If by reason of height, size or spacing the proposed sign creates a significant disharmony with pole-mounted signs within one thousand (1,000) feet or unreasonably detracts from the visibility of other neighboring signs or properties, the City may require reasonable modification of the sign's dimensions to cure such deficiencies as a condition to granting a permit.

11.

Annual inspection. Owners of all signs erected after this date shall be required to submit an inspection report from a Missouri licensed engineer as to the sign's structural integrity. Such certification shall be done on or before June first (1st) of each year. Failure to submit a report shall result in the immediate revocation of the sign's permit.

Section 515.190 Existing Signs Previously Allowed — Permitted.

[R.O. 2013 §515.190; Ord. No. 1368 §2, 11-3-1997]

The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to the erection, alteration, reconstruction, construction, and maintenance of all signs within the City, however, all existing signs that have previously been allowed by ordinance or approved by permit shall be permitted.