Chapter 9-9
SIGNS

SECTION:

9-9-1:    GENERAL SIGN TYPES

9-9-2:    GENERAL PROVISIONS

9-9-3:    EXEMPT SIGNS

9-9-4:    PROHIBITED SIGNS

9-9-5:    PERMITS

9-9-6:    SPECIFIC SIGN REQUIREMENTS

9-9-7:    SIGNS FOR DEVELOPMENT COMPLEXES

9-9-1 GENERAL SIGN TYPES:

Sign types and the computation of sign area shall be as depicted in figures 1 through 4 of this section.

Figure 1

Sample General Sign Types

MONUMENT OR BLADE

PYLON

POLE

GROUND OR LOW PROFILE

 

COMMON FREESTANDING SIGN TYPES

WALL OR FASCIA SIGNS ON STOREFRONTS

 

 

General Sign Types

Figure 2

Comparison – Roof And Wall Or Fascia Signs

Figure 3

Sign Area – Computation Methodology

SIGN STRUCTURES

Notes: Sum of shaded area only represents sign area. Sign constructed with panels or cabinets.

Figure 4

Sign Area – Computation Methodology

Notes: Sum of shaded areas only represents sign area for code compliance purposes. Examples of signs consisting of individual letters, elements or logos placed on building walls or structures.

(Ord. 2-2008, 9-2011)

9-9-2 GENERAL PROVISIONS:

A.    Conformance to codes: Any sign hereafter erected shall conform to the provisions of this ordinance and the provisions of the international building code and of any other applicable ordinance or regulation within this jurisdiction.

B.    Signs in rights of way: No sign other than an official traffic sign or similar sign shall be erected within two feet (2') of the lines of any street, or within any public way, unless specifically authorized by other ordinances or regulations of this jurisdiction.

C.    Projections over public ways: Signs projecting over public walkways shall be permitted to do so only subject to the projection and clearance limits either defined herein or, if not so defined, at a minimum height of eight feet (8') from grade level to the bottom of the sign. Signs, architectural projections or sign structures projecting over vehicular access areas must conform to the minimum height clearance limitations imposed by the jurisdiction for such structures.

D.    Traffic visibility: No sign or sign structure shall be erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, nor at any location where by its position, shape or color it may interfere with or obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.

E.    Computation of frontage: If a premise contains walls facing more than one property line or encompasses property frontage bounded by more than one street or other property usages, the sign area(s) for each building wall or property frontage will be computed separately for each building wall or property line facing a different frontage. The sign area(s) thus calculated shall be permitted to then be applied to permitted signs placed on each separate wall or property line frontage.

F.    Animation and changeable messages: Animated signs, except as prohibited in this chapter, are permitted in commercial and industrial zones only. Changeable signs, manually activated, are permitted for nonresidential uses in all zones. Changeable signs, electrically activated, are permitted in all nonresidential zones.

G.    Maintenance, repair and removal: Every sign permitted by this chapter shall be kept in good condition and repair. When any sign becomes insecure, in danger of falling or is otherwise deemed unsafe by the code official, or if any sign shall be unlawfully installed, erected or maintained in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the owner thereof or the person or firm using same shall, upon written notice by the code official forthwith in the case of immediate danger, and in any case within not more than ten (10) days, make such sign conform to the provisions of this chapter, or shall remove it. If within ten (10) days the order is not complied with, the code official shall be permitted to remove or cause such sign to be removed at the expense of the owner and/or the user of the sign.

H.    Obsolete sign copy: Any sign copy that no longer advertises or identifies a use conducted on the property on which said sign is erected must have the sign copy covered or removed within thirty (30) days after written notification from the code official; and upon failure to comply with such notice, the code official is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign copy, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building, structure or ground on which the sign is located.

I.    Nonconforming signs: Any sign legally existing at the time of the passage hereof that does not conform in use, location, height or size with the regulations of the zone in which such sign is located, shall be considered a legal nonconforming use or structure and shall be permitted to continue in such status until such time as it is either abandoned or removed by its owner, subject to the following limitations:

1. Structural alterations, enlargement or re-erection are permissible only where such alterations will not increase the degree of nonconformity of the signs.

2. Any legal nonconforming sign shall be removed or rebuilt without increasing the existing height or area if it is damaged, or removed or if allowed to deteriorate to the extent that the cost of repair or restoration exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the replacement cost of the sign as determined by the code official.

3. Signs that comply with either subsection 1 or 2 above need to be permitted.

J.    Clearance from high voltage power lines: Signs shall be located not less than ten feet (10') horizontally or fifteen feet (15') vertically from overhead electrical conductors. The term "overhead conductors" as used in this section means an electrical conductor, either bare or insulated, installed above the ground, except when conductors are enclosed in electrical conduit or other approved material covering of equal strength.

K.    Clearance from fire escapes, exits or standpipes: Signs or sign structures shall not be erected in such a manner that a portion of their surface or supports will interfere with the free use of any fire escape, exit or standpipe.

L.    Obstruction of openings: Signs shall not obstruct openings to the extent that light or ventilation is reduced to a point below that required by this code. Signs erected within five feet (5') of an exterior wall in which there are openings within the area of the sign shall be constructed of noncombustible material or approved plastics as determined by the code official. (Ord. 2-2008)

M.    Setback: All permanent advertising signs shall be set back from public streets a distance at least equal to the distance that buildings are required to be set back within the zone in which said signs are located.

N.    Screening requirements: All signs shall display thereon copy and images pertaining only to products or services sold on premises.

O.    Permits required: No advertising sign shall be erected or placed within the City, without first making application for and obtaining a building permit therefore. In addition, all signs located within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the right-of-way line of a federally designated highway shall conform to the standards and regulations for such signs established by the State of Utah or by federal law. Any approval or permits required by said regulations shall be in addition to the building permit herein above required and construction or placement of a sign shall not be commenced until all approvals and permits have been obtained and verification thereof is provided to the City by the developer.

9-9-3 EXEMPT SIGNS:

The following signs shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter:

A.    Official notices authorized by a court, public body or public safety official.

B.    Directional, warning or information signs authorized by federal, state or municipal governments.

C.    Memorial plaques, building identification signs and building cornerstones when cut or carved into a masonry surface or when made of noncombustible material and made an integral part of the building or structure.

D.    The flag of a government or noncommercial institution, such as a school.

E.    Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate public holiday season.

F.    Works of fine art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise where the enterprise does not receive direct commercial gain from the display thereof.

G.    Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address signs that contain no advertising copy and which do not exceed six (6) square feet in area. (Ord. 2-2008)

9-9-4 PROHIBITED SIGNS:

The following devices and locations shall be specifically prohibited:

A.    Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or which obstruct or interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.

B.    Except as provided for elsewhere in this code, signs encroaching upon or overhanging public right of way. No sign shall be attached to any utility pole, light standard, street tree or any other public facility located within the public right of way.

C.    Signs which blink, flash, or are animated by lighting in any fashion that would cause such signs to have the appearance of traffic safety signs and lights, or municipal vehicle warnings from a distance.

D.    Portable signs except as allowed for temporary signs.

E.    Any sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property, except for signs meeting the following conditions:

1. The primary purpose of such a vehicle or trailer is not the display of signs.

2. The signs are magnetic, decals or painted upon an integral part of the vehicle or equipment as originally designed by the manufacturer, and do not break the silhouette of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle or trailer is in operating condition, currently registered and licensed to operate on public streets when applicable, and actively used or available for use in the daily function of the business to which such signs relate.

F.    Vehicles and trailers not used primarily as static displays, advertising a product or service, nor utilized as storage, shelter or distribution points for commercial products or services for the general public.

G.    Balloons, streamers or pinwheels except those temporarily displayed as part of a special sale, promotion or community event. For the purposes of this subsection, "temporarily" means no more than twenty (20) days in any calendar year.

H.    Permanent off premises signs in all zones within Huntington City. (Ord. 2-2008)

9-9-5 PERMITS:

A.    Permits Required: Unless specifically exempted, a permit must be obtained from the code official for the erection and maintenance of all signs erected or maintained within this jurisdiction and in accordance with other ordinances of this jurisdiction. Exemptions from the necessity of securing a permit, however, shall not be construed to relieve the owner of the sign involved from responsibility for its erection and maintenance in a safe manner and in a manner in accordance with all the other provisions of this ordinance.

B.    Construction documents: Before any permit is granted for the erection of a sign or sign structure requiring such permit, construction documents shall be filed with the code official showing the dimensions, materials and required details of construction, including loads, stresses, anchorage and any other pertinent data. The permit application shall be accompanied by the written consent of the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is to be erected and by engineering calculations signed and sealed by a registered design professional where required by the international building code.

C.    Changes to signs: No sign shall be structurally altered, enlarged or relocated except in conformity to the provisions herein, nor until a proper permit, if required, has been secured. The changing or maintenance of movable parts or components of an approved sign that is designed for such changes, or the changing of copy, business names, lettering, sign faces, colors, display and/or graphic matter, or the content of any sign shall not be deemed a structural alteration.

D.    Permit Fees: Permit fees to erect, alter or relocate a sign shall be in accordance with the fee schedule adopted within this jurisdiction. (Ord. 2-2008)

9-9-6 SPECIFIC SIGN REQUIREMENTS:

A.    Identification Signs: Identification signs shall be in accordance with tables 9-6.1, 9-6.2, and 9-6.3 of this section.

B.    Wall Signs: Every single-family residence, multiple-family residential complex, commercial or industrial building, and every separate nonresidential building in a residential zone may display wall signs per street frontage subject to the limiting standards set forth in table 9-6.1.

For shopping centers, planned industrial parks or other multiple occupancy nonresidential buildings, the building face or wall shall be calculated separately for each separate occupancy, but in no event will the allowed area for a wall sign for any separate occupancy be less than one-half (1/2) square foot.

 

TABLE 9-6.1

IDENTIFICATION SIGN STANDARDS – WALL SIGNS

Land Use

Aggregate Area

Single-family residential

2 square feet

Multiple-family residential

2 square feet

Nonresidential in a residential zone

2 square feet

Commercial and industrial

See table 9-6.2 of this section

 

TABLE 9-6.2 SIGN AREA

Distance Of Sign From Road Or Adjacent Commercial Or Industrial Zone

Percentage Of Building Elevation Permitted For Sign Area

0 to 100 feet

12 1/2 percent

101 to 300 feet

19 percent

Over 301 feet

25 percent

C.    Freestanding Signs: In addition to any allowable wall signs, every single-family residential subdivision, multiple-family residential complex, and commercial or industrial building shall be permitted to display freestanding or combination signs per street frontage subject to the limiting standards set forth in table 9-6.3.

 

TABLE 9-6.3

IDENTIFICATION SIGN STANDARDS – FREESTANDING SIGNS

Land Use

Number Of Signs

Height

Area

Spacing

Single-family residential subdivision entrance

1

4 ft.

4 sq. ft.

1 per subdivision entrance

Multiple-family residential

1

4 ft.

4 sq. ft.

1 per driveway

Commercial and industrial

2

See figures 9- 6A, and 9-6B

See figures 9-6 (A), (B)

1 per driveway

Figure 9-6 A

On Premises Freestanding Signs/Commercial And Industrial Zones Vehicular speed subject to posted limits of 35 miles per hour or less

Figure 9-6 B

On Premises Free-standing Signs/Commercial And Industrial Zones Vehicular speed subject to posted limits over 35 miles per hour

D.    Directional Signs: No more than two (2) directional signs shall be permitted per street entrance to any lot. There shall be no limit to the number of directional signs providing directional information interior to a lot. In residential zones directional signs shall be prohibited. For all other zones, the maximum area for any directional sign visible from adjacent property or rights of way shall be six (6) square feet. Not more than twenty five percent (25%) of the area of any directional sign shall be permitted to be devoted to business identification or logo, which area shall not be assessed as identification sign area.

E.    Temporary Signs: Temporary signs shall be permitted in all zones in accordance with tables 9-6.1, 9-6.2 and 9-6.3.

F.    Real Estate Signs: Real estate signs shall be permitted in all zoning districts, subject to the following limitations:

1. Real estate signs located on a single residential lot shall be limited to one sign, not greater than six feet (6') in height and six (6) square feet in area

2. Real estate signs advertising the sale of lots located within a subdivision shall be limited to one sign per entrance to the subdivision, and each sign shall be no greater than thirty two (32) square feet in area nor six feet (6') in height. All signs permitted under this subsection shall be removed within ten (10) days after sale of the last original lot.

3. Real estate signs advertising the sale or lease of space within commercial or industrial buildings shall be no greater than thirty two (32) square feet in area or ten feet (10') in height, and shall be limited to one sign per street front.

4. Real estate signs advertising the sale or lease of vacant commercial or industrial land shall be limited to one sign per street front, and each sign shall be no greater than ten feet (10') in height, and thirty two (32) square feet in area for property of ten (10) acres or less, or sixty four (64) square feet in area for property exceeding ten (10) acres.

5. Real estate signs shall be removed not later than ten (10) days after execution of a lease agreement in the event of a lease, or the closing of the sale in the event of a purchase.

G.    Development and construction signs: Signs temporarily erected during construction to inform the public of the developer, contractors, architects, engineers, the nature of the project or anticipated completion dates, shall be permitted in all zoning districts, subject to the following limitations:

1. Such signs on a single residential lot shall be limited to one sign, not greater than six feet (6') in height and thirty two (32) square feet in area.

2. Such signs for a residential subdivision or multiple residential lots shall be limited to one sign, at each entrance to the subdivision or on one of the lots to be built upon, and shall be no greater than six feet (6') in height and thirty two (32) square feet in area.

3. Such signs for nonresidential uses in residential districts shall be limited to one sign, and shall be no greater than six feet (6') in height and thirty two (32) square feet in area.

4. Such signs for commercial or industrial projects shall be limited to one sign per street front, not to exceed twelve feet (12') in height and sixty four (64) square feet.

5. Development and construction signs may not be displayed until after the issuance of construction permits by the building official, and must be removed not later than twenty four (24) hours following issuance of an occupancy permit for any or all portions of the project.

H.    Special Promotion, event and grand opening signs: Signs temporarily displayed to advertise special promotions, events and grand openings shall be permitted for nonresidential uses in a residential district, and for all commercial and industrial districts subject to the following limitations:

1. Such signs shall be limited to one sign per street front.

2. Such signs may be displayed for not more than thirty (30) consecutive days in any three (3) month period, and not more than sixty (60) days in any calendar year. The signs shall be erected no more than five (5) days prior to the event or grand opening, and shall be removed not more than one day after the event or grand opening.

3. The total area of all such signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in any single-family residential district, six (6) square feet in any multiple-family residential district and one hundred thirty (130) square feet in any commercial or industrial district.

I.    Special event signs in public ways: Signs advertising a special community event may be allowed in or over public rights of way, subject to approval by the code official as to the size, location and method of erection. The code official may not approve any special event signage that would impair the safety and convenience of use of public rights of way, or obstruct traffic visibility.

J.    Portable signs: Portable signs shall be permitted only in the commercial and industrial zones as designated in this code, subject to the following limitations:

1. No more than one such sign may be displayed on any property, and shall not exceed a height of four feet (4') or an area of twelve (12) square feet.

2. Such signs shall be displayed not more than twenty (20) days in any calendar year.

3. Any electrical portable signs shall comply with the national electrical code, as adopted in this jurisdiction.

4. No portable sign shall be displayed prior to obtaining a sign permit.

K.    Political Signs: Political signs for election candidates or ballot propositions shall be permitted in all zoning districts, subject to the following limitations:

1. Such signs shall not exceed a height of four feet (4') nor an area of four (4) square feet.

Exception: A maximum of two (2) oversized signs, up to four feet (4') by eight feet (8') (thirty-two (32) square feet), are permitted for each candidate or proposition. Oversized signs are permitted only on Main Street south of 300 South and north of 400 North, and on Highway 31 between Main Street and North Loop Road.

2. Signs for election candidates or ballot propositions shall be displayed for no more than sixty (60) days preceding the election and shall be removed within ten (10) days after the election. Successful primary election candidates may leave their signs up through the general election time frame.

3. Political signs shall not be placed on Huntington City parks, sidewalks, or planter boxes, or any public right-of-way, and shall not obstruct traffic visibility.

4. Political signs shall not be placed on the parking strip in a commercial zone. (The parking strip is the area between the curb and the sidewalk.)

5. Political signs on private property require the permission of the property owner.

L.    Requirements for specific sign types: Signs of specific type shall be in accordance with subsections A through G.

M.    Canopy and marquee signs:

1. The permanently-affixed copy area of canopy or marquee signs shall not exceed an area equal to twenty five percent (25%) of the face area of the canopy, marquee or architectural projection upon which such sign is affixed or applied.

2. Graphic striping, patterns or color bands on the face of a building, canopy, marquee or architectural projection shall not be included in the computation of sign copy area.

N.    Awning Signs:

1. The copy area of awning signs shall not exceed an area equal to twenty five percent (25%) of the background area of the awning or awning surface to which such a sign is affixed or applied, or the permitted area for wall or fascia signs, whichever is less.

2. Neither the background color of an awning, nor any graphic treatment or embellishment thereto such as striping, patterns or valances, shall be included in the computation of sign copy area.

O.    Projecting Signs:

1. Projecting signs shall be permitted in lieu of freestanding signage on any street frontage limited to one sign per occupancy along any street frontage with public entrance to such an occupancy, and shall be limited in area to (1) one square foot per each three (3) lineal feet of building frontage, except that no such sign shall exceed an area of thirty two (32) square feet.

2. No such sign shall extend vertically above the highest point of the building facade upon which it is mounted by more than twenty percent (20%) of the height of the building facade.

3. Such signs shall not extend over a public sidewalk in excess of twenty five percent (25%) of the width of the sidewalk.

4. Such signs shall maintain a clear vertical distance above any public sidewalk a minimum of ten feet (10').

P.    Under Canopy Signs:

1. Under canopy signs shall be limited to no more than one such sign per public entrance to any occupancy, and shall be limited to an area not to exceed eight (8) square feet.

2. Such signs shall maintain a clear vertical distance above any sidewalk or pedestrian way a minimum of ten feet (10').

Q.    Roof Signs:

1. Roof signs shall be permitted in commercial and industrial districts only.

2. Such signs shall be limited to a height above the roofline of the elevation parallel to the sign face of no more than thirty percent (30%) of the height of the roofline in commercial districts, and thirty percent (30%) of the height of the roofline in industrial districts.

3. The sign area for roof signs shall be assessed against the aggregate permitted area for wall signs on the elevation of the building most closely parallel to the face of the sign.

R.    Window Signs: Window signs shall be permitted for all commercial and industrial districts subject to the following limitations:

1. The aggregate area of all such signs shall not exceed twenty five percent (25%) of the window area on which such signs are displayed. Window panels separated by muntins or mullions shall be considered as one continuous window area.

2. Window signs shall not be assessed against the sign area permitted for other sign types.

S.    Menu Boards: Menu board signs that exceed thirty (30) square feet in size are not permitted. (Ord. 3-2019, 4-17-2019; Ord. 2-2008)

9-9-7 SIGNS FOR DEVELOPMENT COMPLEXES:

A.    Master sign plan required: All landlord or single-owner controlled multiple-occupancy development complexes on parcels exceeding four (4) acres in size, such as shopping centers or planned industrial parks, shall submit to the code official a master sign plan prior to issuance of new sign permits. The master sign plan shall establish standards and criteria for all signs in the complex that require permits, and shall address, at a minimum, the following:

1. Proposed sign locations.

2. Materials to be used in construction of signs.

3. Type of illumination.

4. Design of freestanding sign structures.

5. Size.

6. Quantity.

7. Uniform standards for non-business signage, including directional and informational signs.

B.    Development complex sign: In addition to the freestanding business identification signs otherwise allowed by this ordinance, every multiple-occupancy development complex shall be entitled to one freestanding sign per street front, at the maximum size permitted for business identification freestanding signs, to identify the development complex. No business identification shall be permitted on a development complex sign. Any freestanding sign otherwise permitted under this chapter may identify the name of the development complex.

C.    Compliance with master sign plan: All applications for sign permits for signage within a multiple-occupancy development complex shall comply with the master sign plan.

D.    Amendments: Any amendments to a master sign plan must be signed and approved by the owner(s) within the development complex before such amendment will become effective. (Ord. 2-2008)