Section
20.1. Purpose
and intent.
20.2. Interpretation.
20.3. Scope.
20.4. General guidelines.
20.5. Signs
prohibited in all districts.
20.6. Signs
that require a permit.
20.7. Permit
tag.
20.8. Signs
not requiring permits.
20.9.
Temporary signs.
20.10. Sign permit process.
20.11. Maintenance.
20.12. Lighting.
20.13 Sign themes.
20.14. Sign
regulations for sexually oriented businesses.
20.15. Sign regulations for bench signs.
20.16. Area
allowed for free standing signs.
20. 1. Purpose and intent.
(1) The purpose of this Code shall be to coordinate the type, placement, and scale of signs within the different land-use zones to recognize the commercial communication requirements of all sectors of the business community; eliminate confusing and excessive sign displays that create potential hazards to vehicular and pedestrian traffic; to encourage the innovative use of design; to promote both renovation and proper maintenance; to allow for special circumstances; and to guarantee equal treatment under the law through accurate record keeping and consistent enforcement. These shall be accomplished by regulation of the display, erection, use, and maintenance of signs. The use of signs is regulated according to zoning district. The placement and scale of signs is regulated primarily by through lot size, type and length of street frontage. No sign shall be permitted as a main or accessory use except in accordance with the provisions of this code.
(2) Further purposes are to encourage signs which, by their design, are integrated with, and harmonious to the buildings and sites which they occupy; to reduce driver inattention; to preserve and improve the appearance of Grantsville City as a place in which to live and to work and as an attraction to non residents who come to visit or trade; to safeguard and enhance property values; to limit or forbid signs which interfere with solar access of adjacent properties; to protect public and private investment in buildings and open spaces; to supplement and be a part of the regulations imposed under the zoning authority of Grantsville City.
20. 2. Interpretation.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this code, the sign regulations contained herein are declared to be the minimum standards allowable for the purpose set forth. The types of signs allowed by this code shall be plenary and sign types not specifically allowed as set forth within the code shall be prohibited. It is not intended by this chapter to interfere with nor abrogate nor annul any easement, covenants, nor other agreements between private parties existing at the time of the effective date of this code; provided, however, that where this code imposes a greater restriction upon signs, and the location thereof requires or imposes other conditions than those required or imposed by other laws, ordinances, or restrictions, the provisions of this code shall control.
20. 3. Scope.
This code shall not relate to building design. Nor shall the code regulate official traffic or government signs; the copy and message of signs; signs not intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way; window displays; product dispensers and point of purchase displays; scoreboards on athletic fields; flags of any nation, government or noncommercial organization; gravestones; barber poles; religious symbols; commemorative plaques; the display of street numbers; or any display or construction not defined herein as a sign. Thus, the primary intent of this Code shall be to regulate signs of a commercial nature intended to be viewed from any vehicular or pedestrian public right-of-way.
20. 4. General
guidelines.
(1) All signs erected in Grantsville City shall comply with the most recent Grantsville City adopted provisions of the following; National Electrical Code, International Building Code, and Grantsville City Sign Ordinance.
(2) All signs hereafter erected in Grantsville City shall comply with the current standards of the National Electrical Code, the Uniform Building Code, and all other ordinances of Grantsville City. All signs identifying a discontinued use on the property shall be removed by the sign owner from the property within 30 calendar days of the time the use was discontinued.
(3) No sign erected before the adoption of this code shall be moved to a new location on the lot or building or enlarged or replaced unless it is made to conform with the regulations of this code.
(4) Licensed contractor required. No sign, fixture or device involving electrical wiring or connections shall be erected or installed in Grantsville City except by a licensed and bonded sign or electrical contractor.
(5) Code compliance. All sign permit applications shall be designed to demonstrate conformance with the applicable provisions of the state building code and, where required by the building official, shall be accompanied by a drawing stamped by an appropriate engineer, licensed by the State of Utah, attesting to the adequacy of the proposed construction of the sign and its supports.
(6) Durability. All permanent signs must be built of durable and permanent materials and maintained.
(7) Power source. Permanent power sources for signs must be concealed underground away from public view or within the structure of the sign or building to which the sign is attached and comply with all provisions of the National Electric Code.
(8) Foundations. All ground signs must be mounted on foundations and footings, which conform to the International Building Code as, adopted by Grantsville City.
(9) Sign company tag. All permanent signs must have a sign builder's identification tag or signature. The tag or signature must be made of durable weatherproof material and must be affixed to the sign so as to be visible from the sidewalk or nearest convenient location by Grantsville City Building Official.
(10) Location and setback requirements. The following shall apply:
(a) General location. No part of any sign shall interfere with the use of any fire escape, exit, required stairway, door ventilator, or window.
(b) Visibility triangle. No sign more than 3 feet in height (above the top back of a curb) shall be erected near any driveway or intersection for vehicular traffic within a triangular area formed by the intersection of straight lines extended from the back of curb (or a future curb) and a line connecting them at points 60 feet from the intersection of the lines (See Figure 1).
Figure 1
Deviations from these requirements must be reviewed and approved by the Grantsville City Engineer. Deviations beyond those approved by the Engineer must be appealed to the board of adjustment. NOTE: Monument signs may be erected in the visibility triangle if the top of the sign is less than three feet above the curb grade. The planning commission must approve any removal of landscaping in order to accomplish that objective.
(c) Traffic Safety. No sign or other advertising structure shall be erected which in any manner may be confused with an official traffic sign or signal, or which bears words normally used in such signs (i.e., stop, go slow, caution, danger, warning, etc.). No sign or advertising structure shall be erected which by reason of its size, location, shape, content, coloring, or manner of illumination might be confused as a traffic control device. No sign shall have lighting, which impairs the vision of anyone traveling upon a public street or distracts any driver so as to create a public nuisance.
(d) Public rights-of-way. No sign shall be located on publicly owned land or inside street rights-of-way, except signs owned and erected by permission of an authorized public agency or specifically authorized herein.
(e) Vertical setback. In addition to the height restrictions contained herein, no sign shall be erected or maintained which has less horizontal or vertical clearance from communication lines and energized electrical power lines than that prescribed by the laws of the State of Utah, its agencies, or appropriate utility company.
(f) Side setbacks. High profile (freestanding) and low profile (ground or monument) signs shall be located at least their height in distance from side property lines in order to prevent damage to adjacent land in case a sign is toppled by accident or an act of nature.
(g) Front setbacks. The following shall apply:
(i) High profile (freestanding) and low profile (ground or monument) signs shall be set back at least three feet from the back of sidewalk or public right-of-way whichever is greater and from all driveways.
(ii) Banners or other temporary signs allowed herein shall be set back at least seven feet from the public right-of-way.
(h) Landscaping. All permanent freestanding or monument signs installed in Grantsville City must be incorporated into a landscape design or planter box. The landscaped area in which any sign is placed shall be kept free from weeds, garbage, and debris. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission must also approve any permanent removal of landscaping for the purpose of situating a sign.
(10) Measurement of regulated sign area: For the purpose of this ordinance, a complete phrase, copy and/or images and the suggested layout of such shall be considered a sign (e.g., “1 Hour Photo” would be considered one sign).
(a) Single Plane/Panel Signs Regulated area shall be according to the following standards:
(i) Sign copy mounted as individual letters and/or graphics against a wall, window, or fascia of a building or other structure that has not been painted, textured or otherwise altered to provide a distinctive background for the sign copy, the area shall be defined as the area enclosed by the smallest eight-sided polygon that will enclose all sign area (See Figure 2).
Figure 2
(ii) Sign copy mounted or painted on a background panel or area distinctly textured or constructed as a background for the sign copy shall be measured as that area contained within the outside dimensions of the background panel or surface (See Figure 3). Any illuminated bands or illuminated structures which contain sign copy, corporate logos, etc., are by definition wall signs in their entirety. However, illuminated bands on canopies covering gasoline pump islands shall be regulated per this Chapter.
Figure 3
(iii) Sign copy as an illuminated architectural element of a building, shall be calculated as that portion of the illuminated surface or illuminated element, which contains sign copy (See Figure 4).
Figure 4
(iv) The regulated area of a monument sign shall include all parts of the sign or structure that contain identification (words or symbols) and information. The height of a ground sign shall be the distance from the highest point of the sign to the height of the street curb or sidewalk (See Figure 5). Architectural features or enhancements to the sign supports are excluded (See Figure 6).
Figure 5
Figure 6
(v) The regulated area of a freestanding sign shall include all parts of the sign or structure that contain identification (words or symbols) and information (See Figure 7). The height of a freestanding sign shall be the distance from the highest point of the sign to the top of the curb or sidewalk or crown of the street when there is no curb or sidewalk (See Figure 8).
Figure 7 Figure
8
(vi) Multiple face signs (including but not limited to freestanding or monument signs).
1. Double panel. If the interior angle between two faces is 45 degrees or less, the area to be measured is a single face. If the angle is greater than 45 degrees, the sign area to be measured will be the sum of the areas of the two faces (See Figure 9).
Figure 9
2. Three or more. The sign area shall be the sum of the areas of the three or more faces.
3. Non-planer signs. For spherical, free form, or other non-planer signs, the sign area shall be the sum of the areas of the four vertical sides of the smallest polyhedron that will encompass the sign structure (See Figure 10).
Figure 10
20. 5. Signs prohibited in all districts.
The following types of signs are prohibited in all districts:
(1) Abandoned signs;
(2) Banners, pennants, festoons, and search lights;
(3) Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs or signals;
(4) Snipe signs or signs attached to trees, telephone poles, streetlights, or placed on any public property or public right-of-way;
(5) Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said sign (this does not apply to allowed portable signs or to signs or lettering on buses, taxis, or vehicles operating during the normal course of business);
(6) "A" Frame signs unless allowed in Section 20-9(4)(f); and
(7) Flashing signs.
20. 6. Signs that require a permit.
Unless otherwise provided by this code, all signs shall require permits and payment of fees as described in Section 20.7 of this code. No permit is required for the maintenance of a sign or for a change of copy on painted, printed or changeable copy signs.
(1) Signs on awnings and canopies must meet the following guidelines:
(a) Awnings on non-residential buildings are required to be approved by the Grantsville City Planning Commission. For appropriate awning materials, placement and dimension standards see the Grantsville City Architectural Guidelines.
(b) Signs on awnings shall be limited to street level businesses only (See Figure 13). Signage on an awning shall be limited to 40% of the awning. The signage on the awning and other permanent business signage on the same elevation shall not exceed 15% of that elevation. Translucent letters or accents sewn into opaque canvas or acrylic awnings are permitted. Backlit awnings may be used if approved by the Planning Commission for public safety.
Figure 13
(c) Canopies No sign shall be constructed or placed on top of the roof of any canopy. Translucent letters or accents sewn into opaque canvas or acrylic coverings are permitted up to 40% of a canopy face (See Figure 14). For appropriate canopy materials, placement and dimension standards see the Grantsville City Architectural Guidelines.
Figure 14
(2) Canopies (gas stations). Canopies over gas islands are regulated as follows:
(a) Sign copy, corporate logos, etc., may be a maximum of 15% of a canopy face.
(b) The height to the top of the canopy may not exceed 20 feet from grade, the canopy fascia may not exceed 4 feet in height, and there shall be a minimum clearance of 13.5 feet to the bottom of the canopy above grade. (See Figure 15).
Figure 15
(c) Individual letters, logos, or symbols may not project above or below the canopy face or project out from the surface of the canopy more than 18 inches.
(d) All canopy illumination and lighting directed toward the ground shall be recessed into the canopy.
(3) Directional or instructional signs. Signs which provide direction or instruction and are located entirely on-premise. Directional signs shall not exceed four square feet in area or four feet in height (See Figure 16). The number allowed shall be determined by the zoning administrator during site plan review and shall be the minimum required for the safe circulation of traffic onto and within a development.
Figure 16
(4) Freestanding signs (on-premise). The guidelines for the use of freestanding signs are as follows:
(a) Freestanding signs are not allowed on parcels of less than sever (7) acres unless the parcel is being occupied by four or more separate businesses, each of which occupies separate premises. The Planning Commission may under this subsection approve one freestanding sign per qualifying parcel. Sign height may not exceed 25 feet. Signs must be at least 60 feet from a corner. The maximum sign area shall be approved by the Planning Commission, based upon the size of the parcel, street frontage and the number of separate businesses located on the parcel. The sign must be part of an approved sign theme as provided for in Section 20.13. Monument signs may be approved for other businesses on less than seven (7) acres as otherwise provided for in this Chapter. (Amended 03/ 08)
(b) Developments, planned centers, or parcels seven acres or more. The zoning administrator may approve one freestanding sign per street frontage. No freestanding sign shall be allowed for any planned center or parcel that has less than 300 feet of street frontage. Sign height may not exceed 25 feet. Signs must be at least 200 feet from the corner. Sign area may not exceed the size set forth in 20-15, and must be part of an approved sign theme as given in Section 20-13.
(c) Freestanding signs shall not extend over any pedestrian or vehicular access area unless specifically approved by the Grantsville City Engineer.
(d) All freestanding signs shall be on-premise and shall have the structural supports covered or concealed with pole covers (pylon covers) at least 36-inches wide. The actual structural supports shall not be exposed, and the covers must be architecturally and aesthetically designed to match the building or development to which it is associated (See Figure 17).
Figure 17
(5) Marquees. Marquees shall be reviewed and approved by the Grantsville City Planning Commission. The sign should blend with the aesthetics of the building and surrounding natural and man-made environment. The color, style, size, scale and proportion of the sign should enhance the exterior of the building and not place too much bulk nor be an excessive external distraction on the buildings exterior (See Figure 18).
Figure 18
(6) Menu boards. Menu board locations for drive-in and drive-up window restaurants are to be reviewed and approved by the zoning administrator at site plan review. They shall be located behind the front landscaped setback area. One sign is allowed with maximum area of 35 square feet and an additional sign with maximum area of nine square feet is allowed per lot. Neither sign shall exceed eight feet in height. The changing of copy within these signs does not require a permit.
(7) Monument signs. The following standards shall apply:
(a) Monument signs are allowed for any size parcel provided that the parcel has 50 feet of street frontage.
(b) Pedestals. All monument signs must have at least a one-foot opaque pedestal designed as part of the foundation, which conceals any pole support. The pedestal should run at least 50% of the horizontal length of the sign, and extend from the sign into the ground below the sign. There shall be no copy or sign element on the pedestal. The pedestal shall utilize materials and design elements that relate the sign to the associated building(s). The zoning administrator may review and approve/deny any variation to the pedestal base requirements (See Figure 19).
Figure 19
(c) Sign face. The cabinet or face of a monument sign may not exceed five feet in height. Overall height of the sign shall not exceed six feet. Reader boards (changeable copy areas) may be allowed, however, such devices shall not exceed 50% of the total sign face.
(d) Sign height. Maximum height for a monument sign is six feet. Signs placed within bermed areas may have an additional overall height for each vertical inch of berm directly under the sign. In such cases the entire frontage must have existing or equal berming treatment and the sign shall not exceed an overall height of eight feet (See Figure 19).
(e) Planned centers, pad buildings, and buildings not associated with a planned commercial center are allowed a monument sign on each associated street frontage. However, the signs must be separated by at least 100 feet as measured diagonally across the property from center to center of both signs and shall be no closer than 100 feet to any other sign (monument or freestanding/pole) located on the same frontage. Signs within the visibility triangle may be allowed with the permission of the Grantsville City Engineer.
(i) Planned commercial centers. The following standards shall apply:
1. Monument signs shall have a logo/identification theme as part of the sign.
2. The area of the sign is determined by the length of the frontage of any freestanding buildings and contiguous parcels included within the planned commercial center.
(ii) Pad building within a planned commercial center. The building lot must be contiguous to a major arterial street and have at least 100 feet of street frontage to have a monument sign.
(iii) Building not associated with a planned commercial center. A building not associated with a planned commercial center is allowed one monument sign provided that the parcel has at least 50 feet of street frontage and can locate the sign per the above standards.
(8) Suspended signs. Suspended signs used in place of wall signs are allowed if the architecture of the building or planned center lends itself to that design and a sign theme is submitted and approved by the Planning Commission for such. The following shall apply (See Figure 20):
(a) The planning commission must review any proposal for a suspended sign for compatibility with the building.
(b) No sign may project beyond the outside limit of the arcade, marquee, or canopy or facade to which they are attached.
(c) Any sign must have at least an 8-foot clearance above the sidewalk.
(d) There must be a minimum horizontal distance of 30 feet between suspended signs.
