[Amended by Ord. of 6-22-1998(6); Ord. of 9-9-2002; 3-26-2007; 8-23-2010; 3-25-2013 by Ord. No. 12-2013; 6-14-2021]
A.
It is hereby determined that the regulation of the location, size,
placement, and certain features of signs is necessary to enable the
public to locate goods, services, and facilities without difficulty
and confusion, to prevent wasteful use of natural resources in competition
among businesses for attention, to prevent hazards to life and property,
to assure the continued attractiveness of the community, and to protect
property values.
B.
It is the purpose of this section to coordinate the type and placement
of signs within the different land use zones; to recognize the commercial
communication requirements of all sectors of the business community;
to facilitate maintenance; to allow for special purpose signs; and
to guarantee equal treatment under the law through accurate recordkeeping
and consistent enforcement. These things shall be accomplished by
regulation of the posting, displaying, erection, use and maintenance
of signs. No sign shall be permitted as either a main or accessory
use except in accordance with the provisions of this section. It is
further determined that signs which are not lawfully erected or maintained
under the provisions hereof are not consistent with customary sign
usage, are an abuse thereof, and are an unwarranted invasion of the
rights of legitimate business interests and of the public.
C.
The regulations for signs have the following specific objectives:
1.
To ensure that signs are designed, constructed, installed, and maintained
so that the public safety is protected and traffic safety is maintained;
2.
To allow and promote positive conditions for sign communication while
at the same time promoting an attractive business environment;
3.
To reflect and support the desired character and development patterns
of the Comprehensive Plan and the various zoning districts;
4.
To allow for adequate, effective, and aesthetic signs in commercial
and industrial zones and prevent over concentration of signage; and
5.
To ensure that the constitutionally guaranteed right of free speech
is protected.
A.
Injuring, installing or removing handbills or public notices. It
shall be unlawful for any person to put up, pull down, write on, cut
or otherwise injure or deface any handbill or other public notice
of any kind posted on any public bulletin board without the consent
and permission of the property owner.
B.
Affixing advertisements to trees, utility poles and street signs.
No person shall in any manner affix any advertisement, handbill or
other public notice to any publicly owned tree, utility pole, traffic
or street sign or pole or in any manner injure the same. Any city
employee may, at the direction of his or her immediate supervisor,
remove and discard such advertisements.
C.
Existing nonconforming signs. Any sign valid under the laws of the
State of Virginia and the City of Franklin in place and in use prior
to October 10, 1989 shall be exempt from the provisions of this section
until such time as said signage is structurally altered, enlarged,
changed in shape, moved or replaced. This exemption does not apply
to window signs or portable signs in business areas.
A.
Definitions and advertising permitted.
1.
Business Entity: Any trade, business or operation that provides goods
or services to other trades, businesses, operations or the general
public. Business entities within one building are considered separate
if:
2.
Public Access Easement; Property that grants an easement to allow
the public, vehicular and pedestrian access over a parcel of land
owned by an individual or entity to gain access to other adjoining
properties.
3.
A sign is any word, numeral, figure, design, trademark, logo, flag,
pennant, twirler, light, banner, display or other device of any kind
which whether single or in any combination, is used to attract attention,
direct, identify, inform, persuade, advertise or for the purpose of
visually attracting attention of the public while viewing the same
from outdoors.
4.
A window sign is a sign installed or maintained inside a window for
the purpose of viewing from the outside the premises. This term shall
not include merchandise located in the window.
5.
No exterior sign shall advertise a service, product, business, activity
or institution which is offered, sold, carried on, produced or manufactured
elsewhere than on the premises where such sign is located except for
signs not exceeding 32 square feet in area advertising activities
such as fund raising by nonprofit organizations such as churches,
schools, civic groups, YMCA and similar entities, which signs may
be erected for no more than 30 days prior to such activities and which
must be removed within 30 days after such activities have ceased.
6.
The content or advertising message carried by signs hereafter erected
on any premises shall be limited to one of the following:
a.
The identification of a building or its owners or occupants.
b.
Information concerning any lawful business-related activities carried
on at the premises or goods or services offered thereon.
c.
Information concerning any lawful nonbusiness or nonprofit activities
carried on at the premises.
d.
Information concerning the sale or lease of the premises.
e.
On-site traffic and directional information.
B.
Signs in all zoning districts. In all zoning districts the erection
and display of all signs shall be governed by and shall conform to
the following regulations;
1.
Private dwellings. Private dwellings in any nonresidential district
used to accommodate tourists, and for home occupations, shall be considered
residential and any signs shall conform in all respects to the requirements
of subsection 22.3(F).
2.
Maximum area; height of bottom edge above street, etc., maximum projection
over sidewalk, etc. Every sign erected from and after July 1, 1992
except as provided in subsection 22.3(F) shall comply with the following:
a.
Freestanding signs.
1.
A freestanding sign is a sign supported by upright structural members,
braces, or ground anchorage and not attached to a building.
2.
The maximum sign area for any freestanding sign shall be 64 square
feet per face except that the maximum sign area for a freestanding
sign for an industrial park of ten acres or more in an M-2 Heavy Industrial
District shall be 160 square feet per face. Such larger industrial
park sign shall be set back at least 50 feet from a public street.
The maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be 20 feet, except
that there shall be no maximum height for the American flag, the State
of Virginia flag or any other governmental flag. Notwithstanding having
no height restriction, such flags shall not encroach on any city utility
easement and shall not obstruct vision in a way which endangers public
safety. A freestanding sign shall not project beyond the property
line of the owner thereof.
3.
No more than one freestanding sign shall be permitted on a lot,
Landscaping similar to that surrounding the building shall extend
a minimum of three (3) feet around the perimeter of the sign base
of all signs.
3.
(Reserved)
4.
Business Park and Shopping Center and Signs.
a.
One (1) business park or shopping center sign is allowed. The sign
shall be freestanding and shall be encased in a structure architecturally
similar to that of the main building. The maximum area of the sign
shall be one hundred and fifty (150) square feet limited in height
to 25 feet. The Business Park or shopping center sign may only display
the business park or shopping center name and a list of the tenants.
Individual shops may have building mounted signs in accordance with
§ 22.3(C) Building Mounted Signs. Individual free- standing
signs for individual business park or shopping center tenants shall
not be permitted. Where a business park or shopping center or sign
is used, no other frontage signs will be allowed.
b.
Any outparcel within the business park or shopping center boundaries
may have a monument sign in addition to their building mounted sign.
All monument signs shall have a maximum height of seven (7) feet with
a maximum area of 50 square feet per face and shall be landscaped
and architecturally similar to the surrounding buildings.
5.
Freestanding business or commercial signs shall be located on the
lot on which the business is located, except that contiguous properties
under the same ownership, may be considered as one lot for the purpose
of this section.
6.
All portions of every freestanding sign must be erected at least
eight feet from a city right of way or other public property and may
not be erected in such a manner as to interfere with a city or public
utility easement.
7.
ROUTE 58 CORRIDOR HIGH-RISE SIGN
An on-premise freestanding sign that is located on any parcel
of land zoned B-3 General Business or Industrial with any part of
the parcel located within 500 feet of the Route 58 by-pass right of
way within the cooperate limits of the City of Franklin. These signs
shall be permitted for businesses and developments for the purpose
of attracting non-local traffic from the by-pass. Such signs shall
be allowed within the cooperate limits of the City. Route 58 corridor
high-rise signs shall be allowed when the following requirements are
met:
a.
There shall be no more than (1) high-rise sign structure per parcel.
b.
The high-rise sign structure shall have no more than (4) individual
signs.
c.
(Reserved)
d.
The maximum sign height shall be 190 feet and.
e.
The high-rise signs shall observe a setback requirement of twenty
(20) feet from all street right of way or lot boundary lines. However,
there shall be no setback from the Route 58 by-pass right of way.
f.
Route 58 corridor high-rise signs shall be located no closer than
200 feet from a residentially zoned property.
g.
If a high-rise sign is utilized, only one other freestanding monument
ground sign will be allowed in accordance with § 22.3(b)(2)(a)(4).
h.
Directional signs for internal traffic circulation shall be allowed
so as not obstruct sign vision at intersections within a public way.
i.
All Route 58 Gateway high-rise signs shall comply with all other
local, state and federal regulations.
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1.
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The zoning administration shall interpret the above requirements
of the definition for Route 58 corridor high-rise sign locations for
close proximity to residentially zoned property, the Route 58 by pass
and to each other in keeping with the purpose and intent of this article
under the following circumstances:
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a.
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The site is exceptionally narrow or shallow, has an odd size,
shape or topography or is otherwise unusual in physical dimension.
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b.
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There exists a unique relationship to adjacent properties or
properties in the general vicinity.
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C.
Building mounted signs.
1.
A building mounted sign is a sign which is visible from a public
street or place and which is attached to or derives its major support
from a wall, roof or fence and includes, but is not limited to, the
following: an awning sign, canopy sign, marquee sign, projecting sign,
roof sign, fence sign and wall sign. Signs painted on exterior building
walls shall be considered building mounted signs. Sign area of building
mounted signs shall be measured within a continuous perimeter enclosing
the entire display face of the sign, including background, framing,
trim, molding and other borders, but excluding supports and uprights
unless such supports or uprights are designed as an integral part
of the display for the purpose of illustration or attraction or unless
they are illuminated. Where a sign consists of two identical parallel
faces which are set back to back and located not more than 24 inches
from each other, only one side of such sign shall be used in computing
the area. The area of signs with more than two faces, or with faces
which are not parallel or not within the same plane with each other
shall be the sum of the area of all the sign faces. The area of a
cylindrical sign shall be computed by multiplying one-half the circumference
by the height of the sign. Where individual letters, characters or
figures are mounted using a building facade as a background, the area
of such sign shall be determined by computing the sum of the area
within the outer perimeter of each individual character or figure
comprising the total message, symbol or advertisement. Computational
methodology to determine sign area is set forth below this section
in figures (1) and (2).
2.
The maximum sign area for building mounted signs shall not exceed
one square foot of building mounted sign area for each lineal foot
of building frontage facing a public street or a public access easement
not to exceed a total of 100 square feet in area facing each public
street, except that no sign shall be required to be less than 15 square
feet in area. For buildings housing more than one tenant, the sign
area for each tenant shall be considered separately, but the total
square footage may not exceed the standard set forth hereinabove.
a.
The maximum sign area for building mounted signs located in the "Downtown Service Tax District" as designated in § 27-136 of the City Code shall not exceed two square feet of building mounted sign area for each lineal foot of building frontage facing a public street or a public access easement not to exceed a total of 100 square feet in area facing each public street, except that no sign shall be required to be less than 15 square feet in area. For buildings housing more than one tenant, the sign area for each tenant shall be considered separately, but the total square footage may not exceed the standard set forth hereinabove.
3.
Where building frontage is on more than one public street or a public
access easement, the frontage on the sides of the building facing
the public streets or public access easements shall be used to calculate
the permitted sign area for that particular building front.
4.
Where the rear of the building faces a parking lot, additional signage
shall be allowed on the rear of the building, not to exceed one square
foot of building mounted sign area for each lineal foot of building
width facing the parking lot, not to exceed a total of 100 square
feet in area, except that no sign area shall be required to be less
than 15 square feet in area. For buildings housing more than one tenant,
the sign area for each tenant shall be considered separately, but
the total square footage may not exceed the standard set forth hereinabove.
5.
In all zoning districts the maximum square footage of building mounted
signs set forth in b. and d. above may be increased by .25 square
foot for each lineal foot of building frontage in excess of one hundred
(100) lineal feet.
6.
In B-3, M-1 and M-2 zoning districts, if a building frontage facing
a public street towards which a sign is oriented is more than one
hundred (100) linear feet, the square footage area of signs may be
increased as follows:
a.
If the building is 100 feet or more but less than 150 feet from the
street — An increase of 25 percent (up to 125 square feet).
b.
If the building is 150 feet of more but less than 200 feet from the
street — An increase of 50 percent (up to 150 square feet).
c.
If the building is 200 feet of more but less than 250 feet from the
street — An increase of 75 percent (up to 175 square feet).
d.
If the building is 250 feet or more but less than 500 feet from the
street — An increase of 100 percent (up to 200 square feet).
e.
If the building is 500 feet or more but less than 1,000 feet from
the street — An increase of 150 percent (up to 250 square feet).
f.
If the building is 1,000 feet or more from the street — An
increase of 200 percent (up to 300 square feet).
7.
Projecting signs and signs attached to the bottom of a marquee or
roof overhang shall not project more than five feet from the building
front nor closer than two feet from any curb line. The maximum size
for these signs shall be 15 square feet per face, and they shall have
a minimum clearance of eight feet above a public sidewalk, public
street, or public alley.
D.
Portable signs.
1.
A portable sign is a sign usually of a temporary nature, not securely
anchored to the ground or to a building or structure and which obtains
some or all of its structural stability with respect to wind or other
normally applied forces by means of geometry or character.
2.
It shall be unlawful to erect or maintain portable signs except that
portable unlighted signs not exceeding four feet in height and 2 1/2
feet in width may be placed on sidewalks in front of businesses located
in other than residential districts unless approved as part of a special
exception or conditional use. Such portable signs shall not obstruct
the means of egress from the building or any accessible route as defined
by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Such signs must be maintained
in good condition and removed each day by the close of business, in
inclement weather or in extremely windy conditions.
3.
Flashing signs and lights outlining exteriors of a building: It shall
be unlawful to erect or maintain any lighted sign on an intermittent
or flashing circuit. It is also unlawful to outline the exterior of
any buildings with lights — Except during governmentally recognized
holidays, holiday seasons and city celebrations when authorized by
the zoning administrator. Time, temperature and stock quotation signs
are not to be considered flashing signs.
4.
Revolving and/or moving signs: It shall be unlawful to erect or maintain
a revolving or otherwise moving sign.
5.
Externally illuminated signs: Not more than two bulbs per face, which
shall be white light, shall be used to illuminate any externally illuminated
sign and these bulbs shall each be of a capacity not exceeding 200
watts.
6.
Bulbs: Bulbs used on signs shall be only white in color.
7.
Roof signs: A roof sign is any sign which is erected, constructed
and maintained above the roof of the building. It shall be unlawful
to erect or maintain a roof sign except for holiday decorations.
8.
Flexible, moving or fluttering signs or other devices to attract
attention. It shall be unlawful to erect or put up any flexible, moving
or fluttering banners, flags, balloons or other devices to attract
attention, except cloth flags (including American flags), cloth or
plastic banners or latex balloons to advertise any commercial or noncommercial
activity for a maximum of five days per promotion in any single calendar
month in business and industrial districts. The person or business
erecting or putting up such displays shall notify the zoning administrator
in writing at least three business days prior to erecting or putting
up such displays on forms provided by the department of community
development. No permit or fee shall be required for such displays.
In any business or industrial district except the B-2 central commercial
district such displays shall not be erected or put up within ten feet
of the public right-of-way or in a way which is distracting to persons
operating motor vehicles on public streets. Any violation of this
provision shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $100.00.
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General Sign Area - Computation Methodology
Sum of Shaded Areas Only Represents Sign Area
Signs constructed with panels or cabinets
 Sign structures
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 General Sign Area - Computation Methodology
Sum of Shaded Areas Only Represents Sign Area for Code
Compliance Purposes
Signs consisting of individual letters, elements, or logos
placed on building walls or structures.
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9.
Temporary banners over streets. The zoning administrator may permit
the hanging, stringing or placing of banners made of cloth or other
material not less than 25 feet above the surface of the street for
a period not exceeding ten days and expressly advertising an upcoming
and dated event.
E.
(Reserved)
F.
Signs in residential districts.
1.
All tourist and bed and breakfast signs in residential zoning districts
shall be constructed so that no portion of such signs shall be closer
than seven feet from the owner's property line and the top of such
signs no more than six feet above the average ground level of the
yard. Every such sign shall be affixed to a single upright post or
posts, a wall, fence or monument with and an advertising area of no
more than eight square feet. No electric or neon signs shall be permitted,
and not more than two incandescent bulbs of 25 watts or less shall
be used to illuminate the sign. No more than one such sign shall be
permitted at each residence.
2.
Home occupation signs in residential districts shall be permitted
as set forth in the definition of home occupations in article XXIX
of this appendix.
3.
All signs for all other nonresidential uses surrounded by predominantly
residential uses shall comply with the provisions of subsection 22.3(B)
except that the maximum sign area shall be 32 square feet per face
and the maximum height shall be seven (7) feet above the average ground
level.
G.
Real estate signs.
1.
Real estate signs are signs advertising the sale, lease or rental
of real property. The term open-house shall mean the showing of real
estate which is for sale, lease or rental by the real estate brokers
and agents who are involved directly or indirectly in the sale of
real estate in the City of Franklin.
2.
All real estate signs shall be located only on the property which
is for sale, except for open-house directional signs.
3.
All real estate signs advertising residential property for sale or
lease must be nonilluminated and not exceed eight square feet in sign
area per sign face.
4.
All real estate signs advertising property other than residential
property shall not exceed 32 square feet in sign area per sign face,
and shall not be located in any residential zone.
5.
No real estate sign shall be placed within less than eight feet from
the edge of the pavement of any public street or one-third of the
distance between the pavement of any public street and the residence
or building in those instances where the residence or building is
less than 24 feet from the edge of the pavement of any public street.
No real estate sign or open house directional sign shall be placed
on any city right-of-way.
6.
No permits and no fees shall be required for real estate signs.
7.
There shall be no more than one real estate sign advertising a single
tract for sale or lease on each street frontage.
8.
In a subdivision which contains five lots or more, a real estate
sign not exceeding 32 square feet may be placed in the subdivision
or at the entrance to the subdivision advertising said property for
sale or lease. Such subdivision signs shall apply only to the initial
sale of lots within the subdivision and shall be allowed to remain
for not more than 24 months or until 80% of the lots are sold.
9.
Directional Real Estate Signs: A directional real estate sign (hereinafter
referred to as "directional signs") is a temporary sign informing
the public that property is available for examination for sale or
lease purposes. Only generic directional real estate signs as described
below shall be displayed on property.
a.
The number, size and placement of directional real estate signs:
A generic nonadvertising directional sign displaying an arrow shall
not exceed 9 inches by 24 inches and shall be affixed to a single
wood, vinyl or metal pole. With permission from the landowner only
one generic directional sign per direction is allowed at any intersection
with a total not to exceed 4 signs per intersection and no more than
one directional sign per property. Placement of the signs is limited
to intersections only and will not be permitted in medians, parkway
strips, slopes, etc. Signs are not permitted on public property or
in the public right-of-way. Signs shall not be installed in a manner
that creates a hazard to traffic or pedestrians. Placement of generic
directional signs must be 2 feet from the edge of the roadway/edge
of sidewalk for safety purposes. No flags, pennants, balloons, or
other attention-attracting devices shall be displayed.
10.
Off premises real estate signs advertising the sale, lease or rental
of property shall be allowed in conjunction with an open-house showing
only and shall be limited to eight square feet in size. All other
off premises signs except for open-house directional signs as set
forth above shall be prohibited. Open-house directional signs shall
not be displayed for more than 72 consecutive hours and shall be located
only in residential zones.
H.
Construction signs. A construction sign not exceeding 32 square feet
may be permitted on any lot if erected not more than 30 days prior
to construction. It must be removed within 30 days after completion
of construction.
1.
Sales Office and Model Home Signs. Sales office and model home signs
(signs identifying a developer's sales office/model home sites) are
subject to the following:
a.
Signs shall not exceed a maximum size of 32 square feet.
b.
Signs shall not exceed a maximum height of seven (7) feet.
c.
No signs shall be illuminated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and
7:00 a.m.
d.
Only one sign advertising a model home may be permitted per builder
in the subdivision.
e.
Sign must be located on the site of the model home/sales office and
shall be set back a minimum of eight (8) feet from the public right
of way.
f.
Model home sign shall be allowed only after a certificate of occupancy
has been issued for the model home.
g.
No sign may be erected for more than two years.
h.
Signs shall meet all requirements of this Article of the City Zoning
Ordinance, including permitting requirements.
I.
Bench signs. It is unlawful to erect or maintain a sign on a bench
or other exterior furniture under this ordinance.
J.
Window signs. Window signage which identifies or advertises community
activities, services, goods or products available within the building
is permitted in areas zoned for business or industrial use. Such window
signage shall not obstruct more than 30 percent of each window area
located on the ground floor of the building. For computation of area,
window panels separated by muntins or mullions shall be considered
as one continuous windowpane. Window signs shall not be assessed as
wall signs.
K.
Garage/yard sale signs. One garage or yard sale sign having a surface
area not exceeding six square feet may be displayed for a single time
period not longer than five days in any six-month period. No signs
advertising a garage or yard sale shall be placed on any property
other than that of the residence of the person conducting such a sale.
L.
Special purpose signs.
1.
Theater signs. In addition to the signs otherwise permitted by this
section, a theater shall be permitted a changeable message sign, the
surface area of which shall not exceed 64 square feet. Any building
in which is located two or more theaters shall be permitted an extra
16 square feet of surface area per additional theater.
2.
Gasoline price displays. In addition to the signs otherwise permitted
by this section, gasoline stations shall be permitted to erect and
maintain up to two changeable message signs not to exceed 12 square
feet on each face or one changeable message sign not to exceed 24
square feet per face for the purpose of displaying gasoline prices.
Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this section, such
signs may be affixed to the structure of a pole sign on the property.
3.
Menu signs for drive-through restaurants. In addition to the signs
otherwise permitted by this section, a drive-through restaurant shall
be permitted one menu sign placed in proximity to the drive-through
lane for the purpose of ordering. Such sign shall be positioned at
least 40 feet from any street right-of-way or residentially zoned
property and shall have a surface area not exceeding 36 square feet.
4.
Directory signs. In addition to the signs permitted by this section,
free standing directory signs with a maximum height of 40 inches,
a maximum width of 30 inches and a maximum tenant identification area
of four inches by 30 inches for identification of tenants located
in a building or buildings having more than one entrance for customers.
Such signs shall be located in or at the parking area or between the
parking area and the building entrance of the tenants being identified
and shall not intrude upon any handicap accessible parking area or
route, fire lane or utility easement.
M.
Political signs. Political signs shall be allowed only for a period
commencing 90 days prior to any election and removed five days subsequent
to the election in any zoning district. Such signs shall conform to
the size requirement of real estate signs in the district in which
they are located. Such signs shall not be affixed to utility poles
or trees or placed on public property or public rights-of-way and
not cause a visual obstruction at intersections in accordance with
§ 22.3(N)(1).
N.
Signs on motor vehicles.
1.
Signs attached to the exterior of a motor vehicle or painted on to
a motor vehicle parked on or beside a public street for the sole purpose
of advertising are prohibited.
O.
Signs to announce business openings. Within any commercial or industrial
district, one sign may be placed on the property to announce the opening
of one or more businesses located on the property. Such sign shall
not be larger than 32 square feet in size and shall not remain on
the property for more than a 30-day period.
P.
Use of signs or other advertising matter near intersections.
1.
Signs or other advertising matter as regulated by this section erected
at the intersection of any streets or in the right-of-way in such
a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision are prohibited. Furthermore,
signs or advertising matter which by reason of the position, shape,
or color interfere with or obstruct the view of any authorized traffic
sign, signal or device, are also prohibited. At all public street
intersections, there shall be no sign erected between the heights
of three (3) feet and ten (10) feet and no obstruction to vision between
those heights other than a single post or column which does not exceed
twelve (12) inches in its greatest cross sectional dimension, within
the visibility triangle formed by the lot lines on the street side
of such lot and a diagonal line joining points on such lot lines at
distances from the point of their intersection as set forth in the
following table and as shown in the graphic below:
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Size of Unobstructed Sight Triangle at Corner Lots, Public Streets
and Driveways
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Classification of Intersecting Public Streets*
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Distance Measured Along Each Street (Dimension "X" In Graphic
Below)
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Local-Local
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20'
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Local-Collector
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33'
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Collector-Collector
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33'
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Collector-Arterial
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33'
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Arterial-Arterial
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33'
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Arterial-Local
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33' along arterial street (principal or minor) 15' along local
street
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Any Public Street — Driveway
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33' along arterial street (principal or minor) 15' along local
street
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10' perpendicular to street
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As defined in the City of Franklin Zoning Ordinance and VDOT
2020 Transportation Plan
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SIGNS WHICH INTERFERE WITH VISIBILITY AT STREET INTERSECTIONS
OR DRIVEWAYS
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2.
Unshielded illuminated devices that produce glare or are a hazard
to motorists are prohibited.
Q.
Signs resembling traffic controls. Lights and signs that resemble
any traffic control device, official traffic control signs, or emergency
vehicle markings are prohibited. Signs which make use of the words
"stop," "look," "danger," or any other word, phrase, symbol or character
in such a manner as to interfere with or mislead or confuse vehicular
traffic shall not be allowed.
R.
Abandoned signs.
1.
Any sign that is located on property which becomes vacant and unoccupied,
pertains to a business which does not maintain a current and valid
business license or pertains to a time or event that has passed, shall
deemed to have been abandoned.
2.
Before a sign which has been abandoned for two years or more may
be put into use it must be brought into compliance with this article.
S.
Advertising signs at public athletic fields. Advertising signs not
exceeding 48 square feet in area facing inward toward athletic fields
may be fastened to, but not obtrude over, interior athletic field
fences of public baseball, softball and track fields and end zone
fences of public football fields. Such signs may not be placed on
fences in a way which prevents spectators from having an unobstructed
view of athletic events.
T.
Marquees, canopies and awnings.
1.
Restrictions for marquee signs. Signs on marquees shall be considered
wall signs and shall be subject to the requirements established for
wall signs.
2.
Restrictions for canopies and awnings.
a.
Signs on canopies and awnings shall be considered wall signs and
shall be subject to the requirements established for wall signs. However,
lettering which does not exceed seven inches in height which is displayed
on the edge of a canopy or awning hanging perpendicular to the ground
shall not be counted against the allowable signable area of a wall
frontage.
b.
No portion of any canopy or awning shall be less than eight feet
above the level of the sidewalk or other surface over which it projects.
c.
Awning signs may be illuminated indirectly or internally.
U.
Pedestrian signs.
1.
A pedestrian sign is a sign intended primarily for viewing by pedestrian
traffic, displayed as a wall or window sign, and containing information
including the following and other similar information: suite numbers;
instructions regarding operation of doors; names of accepted credit
companies; and hours of operation.
2.
Pedestrian signs shall not be counted as part of wall or window signable
area.
3.
The height of pedestrian sign lettering or symbols shall not exceed
four inches.
A.
Permits, inspections, etc.
1.
Permit required. It shall be unlawful to erect, alter or relocate any sign without first obtaining a sign permit from the zoning administrator unless the sign is exempt under subsection 22.4(d) of this section.
When a sign permit has been issued, it shall be unlawful to
change, modify, alter, or otherwise deviate from the terms or conditions
of said permit without prior approval of the zoning administrator.
A written record of such approval shall be entered upon the original
permit application and maintained in the files of the zoning administrator.
2.
Application. In order to obtain a permit to erect, alter or relocate
any sign under the provisions of this section, an applicant therefore
shall submit to the zoning administrator a sign permit application
which shall set forth in writing a complete description of the proposed
sign including:
a.
The name, address, and telephone number of the owner or persons entitled
to possession of the sign and of the sign contractor or erector.
b.
The location by street address of the proposed sign structure.
c.
Complete information as required on application forms provided by
the zoning administrator including a site plan and elevation drawings
of the proposed sign, and such other data as are pertinent to the
application.
d.
Plans indicating the scope and structural detail of the work to be
done, including details of all connections, guy lines, supports and
footings, materials to be used, and electrical plans if sign is to
be electrified.
Each application shall contain an agreement to indemnify and
hold the city harmless for all damages, demands or expenses of every
character which may in any manner be caused by the erection of the
sign.
3.
Issuance of permit if application in order. It shall be the duty
of the zoning administrator, upon receipt of a completed application
for a sign permit, to examine such plans and specifications and other
data and, if the proposed structure is in compliance with the requirements
of this section and all other applicable provisions of this Code,
to issue to the applicant a written permit evidencing the applicant's
compliance therewith. Issuance of the permit shall in no way prevent
the zoning administrator or designated representative from later declaring
said sign to be nonconforming if upon further review of information
submitted with the application it is found that the data submitted
is incorrect or if the sign is not built in accordance with specifications
of plans submitted.
4.
Permit duration. A sign permit shall become null and void if the
sign for which the permit was issued has not been completed within
a period of six months after the date of issuance.
5.
Inspection. All signs for which a permit is required by this section
shall be inspected by the zoning administrator or designated representative.
6.
Revocation. The zoning administrator is hereby authorized and empowered
to revoke any permit issued upon failure of the holder thereof to
comply with the provisions of this section within 30 days after notification
in writing.
7.
Permit fees. Before any permit is issued under the provisions of
this section, the applicant shall pay the applicable sign permit fee
and a zoning certificate fee.
8.
Interpretation. Any sign which may be classified within more than
one sign category shall be classified within the most restrictive
category.
9.
Maintenance and repair. All signs and sign structures shall maintain
the following standards of structural repair and visual appearance.
All structural and nonstructural components must be positioned and
secured in accordance with approved plans for the sign. Any apparently
deteriorated, damaged, or weakened components shall be promptly repaired
or replaced. All lettering, advertising copy and painted surfaces
must be free of chipping, peeling, and fading detectable within three
hundred feet of the sign. Components composed of plastic, acrylic,
and other artificial compositions must be free of cracks, holes, buckling,
or any other condition affecting the strength and stability of the
component. Electrical signs must be maintained in working order. Minimum
maintenance requirements for electrical signs and electrical systems
include but are not limited to: prompt removal and replacement of
all defective bulbs, tubes, neon light segments, damaged or deteriorated
electrical wiring, and malfunctioning control devices and related
circuitry. If Community Development personnel determine that these
standards have not been met, notice shall be given of specific defects
and reasonable time for correction. Failure to comply with such notice
shall constitute a violation of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building
Code/Virginia Maintenance Code and may require removal of the sign
and sign structure.
C.
Administrative appeals process. An appeal may be taken to the board of zoning appeals as outlined in § 27.6 of this ordinance when it is alleged that there is error in any order, requirement, decision, determination, or interpretation of the zoning administrator or other designated representative in administering this section.
D.
Signage not requiring a permit. Except as otherwise provided, the
following on-site signs are exempt from the provisions of this section
and may be erected without securing a permit, subject however, to
meeting all other applicable provisions of this section and other
chapters of this Code.
1.
One professional name plate attached to the building not exceeding
three square feet in area.
2.
Any flag of the United States of America, the State of Virginia,
the City of Franklin and flags not exceeding 15 square feet in size
of any other governmental entity any religious or fraternal organization
or seasonal flags.
3.
Decorative flags and bunting for a city-wide celebration, conventions,
and commemorations when authorized by the zoning administrator for
a one-week period.
4.
Holiday lights and decorations.
5.
Memorial or historic tablets, information as to the name of the building,
date of erection, special description or other material of historic
interest, when cut into a masonry surface or constructed of bronze
or other similar material and not exceeding six square feet.
6.
Nonadvertising directional signs or symbols (e.g. entrance, exit,
caution, slow, no trespassing) located on and pertaining to a parcel
of real private property, not to exceed two square feet in area.
7.
Identification signs at the entrance drive of residences and farms
which do not exceed two square feet in area.
8.
Window signs which identify or advertise the business which occupies
the premises, community activities, services, goods, or products available
within the building, and which collectively cover 30 percent or less
of the window glass surface area.
9.
Signs incorporated on machinery or equipment at the manufacturer's
or distributor's level, which identify or advertise only the product
or service dispensed by the machine or equipment, such as signs customarily
affixed to vending machines, newspaper racks, telephone booths, and
gasoline pumps.
10.
Warning signs. "No Soliciting," "No Trespassing," "Beware of Dog,"
and similarly worded warning signs which have a surface area not exceeding
two square feet.
11.
Occupant signs. One sign displaying the occupant's name may be placed
on each residential dwelling unit, the surface area of which shall
not exceed two square feet.
12.
Real estate signs as set forth in subsection 22.3(e) except for real estate signs advertising nonresidential property which requires a zoning certificate.
13.
One garage or yard sale sign having a surface area not exceeding
six square feet.
14.
Publicly owned and maintained directional or regulatory signage or
symbols.
15.
Signs announcing business openings.
16.
Construction signs.
17.
Political signs.
18.
Signs on motor vehicle.
19.
Advertising signs at public athletic fields.
