SIGNS

SECTION 47-22. SIGN REQUIREMENTS

Sec. 47-22.1. General.

A. All signs in the city shall be limited to point of purchase sign, business identification sign, and directional sign. No other kind of advertising sign of any type shall be permitted, except as otherwise provided herein. Any sign authorized by this section shall be allowed to contain noncommercial copy in lieu of commercial or other copy.

B. Purpose of section. This section is intended to regulate signs according to the type of zone in which they are located, and in doing so, to enhance the efficiency of land use and land use planning in the city. In general, this ordinance seeks to regulate on-premise business signs and to allow reasonable advertising area to business establishments. It is meant to eliminate conspicuous excesses in urban advertising but not to destroy the right to advertise. This section regulates signs intended to be viewed from public rights-of-way, vehicular travelways, and waterways. This control extends to advertising signs on boats in canals in the city.

C. Scope of section. This section does not in any manner regulate the written or depicted copy on any individual sign, but only the height, area, location, and other similar aspects of signs and sign structures; nor does this section regulate in any manner purely graphic material as herein defined; noncommercial holiday signs and decorations; signs on products, product containers, or product dispensers; public informational and safety signs; or signs required by local, state, or federal law; window displays or building designs, exclusive of any commercial signage or other commercial communication.

(Ord. No. C-97-19, § 1(47-22.1), 6-18-97)

Sec. 47-22.2. Definitions.

A. For the purposes of this section, the following terms are defined as follows:

1. Advertising bench: A bench, such as a bus or park bench, for the use of the public and bearing a commercial message.

2. Area of a freestanding sign: The area of that square or rectangle which would enclose all parts of the sign excepting the supporting columns, and strictly decorative design features or embellishment such as mansard roofs, lanterns, clocks, unless such features contain copy or logo or other advertising matter. Area of a sign shall be aggregate of both sides, unless otherwise provided herein.

3. Area of a flat/wall sign: The total area of each square or rectangle which would enclose all parts of each letter, character, or logo which make up a sign as defined herein.

4. Banner sign: Any sign possessing characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations, or designed so as to attract attention by scenic effect, with or without characters; streamers, and wind-driven whirligigs, or other devices applied to cloth, paper, fabric, or like kind of material either with or without frame and which is not of permanent construction.

5. Boat dock and docking facility: A group of commercial boat docks with no support structures (excluding a ticket booth), wherein fishing boats, charter boats, boat rentals, boat dealers, yacht brokers, and other similar commercial boating operations, utilize water frontage and are supplied with common parking.

6. Business identification sign: A sign bearing the name, trademark, or symbol of the business located on the property.

7. Central beach area zoning districts: Lands zoned into the following zoning categories: Sunrise Lane Area (SLA), North Beach Residential Area (NBRA), A-1-A Beachfront Area (ABA), Planned Resort Development Area (PRD), Intracoastal Overlook Area (IOA), South Beach Hotel and Marina District (SBHMA).

8. Detached or free-standing sign: A single or multifaced sign erected on one (1) or more poles which is wholly independent of any building for support.

9. Directional sign: A sign within the property designed for the guidance of traffic, that is, entrance and exit signs.

10. Flat sign: A sign parallel to the face of any building.

11. Ground sign: A detached sign installed at ground level in low profile.

12. Marquee sign: A sign attached to a marquee as is customarily used by a theater or hotel. A marquee is recognized as being an integral part of the building and of like material.

13. Message center sign: An electronically controlled changeable message sign.

14. Noncommercial copy: Any language, wording or expression not related to the economic interests of the speaker and its audience, such speech generally considered to be ideological, political or of a public interest nature.

15. Outdoor advertising display: An off-premise, outdoor advertising sign, such sign being commonly referred to as a billboard, poster board, or outdoor advertising board.

16. Point of purchase sign: Any sign used for advertising a product or service offered for sale and/or delivered on the premises that is the primary purpose of the business.

17. Pylon sign: Any sign structure that is an integral part of the building.

18. Projecting sign: A sign projecting at any angle from an outside wall of any building.

19. Roof signs: A sign erected entirely above the roof of any building.

20. Scintillating sign: A sign with moving parts and/or lights, excepting message center signs. A scintillating sign shall also include a sign which has "chasing action" or "scintillating action." "Chasing action" is the action of a row of lights commonly used to create the appearance of motion, the effect of which is obtained by turning a sequence of lights off at timed intervals so that a group of shadows appear to flow in one (1) direction. "Scintillating action" is that effect which gives the appearance of twinkling lights with such lights blinking on and off in a random or patterned manner.

21. Shopping center: A group of commercial establishments planned and designed with common parking and/or using a common name.

22. Sidewalk or sandwich sign: Any movable sign not secured or attached to the ground or a structure.

23. Sign: Any display of characters, ornamentation, letters, or other display such as, but not limited to, a symbol, logo, picture, or other device used to attract attention, or to identify, or as an advertisement, announcement, or to indicate directions, including the structure or frame used in their display.

24. Snipe sign: Any sign or any material including, but not limited to, paper, paint, cardboard, plastic, wood and metal when such sign is attached in any way to trees, motor vehicles, trailers, or waterborne craft or other objects used for advertising purposes.

25. Strip stores: A group of commercial establishments in single or multiple buildings utilizing common parking.

26. Supergraphics sign: A design or pictorial representation that contains no lettering or business identification or logo used as a sign as defined herein.

27. Temporary builders sign: A sign used temporarily solely for the purpose of information concerning improvements on the property where the sign is placed.

28. Temporary real estate sign: A sign used for the purpose of temporarily offering the property on which the sign is placed for sale, rent or lease.

29. Under-canopy sign: A sign attached to the cantilevered portion of a building whether it be on the same plane as the roof line or not.

30. Vehicle travelway: Any alley or parking space way twenty (20) feet or more in width.

31. Window sign: Any sign or illustrations or symbols attached to, painted on or affixed by any method directly to the interior or exterior of the glass of any door or window, or within six (6) inches of a window.

(Ord. No. C-97-19, § 1(47-22.2), 6-18-97)

Sec. 47-22.3. General regulations. definitions from 47-22.2 in blue

A. Advertising benches. Advertising benches may be permitted subject to regulations established by agreement with the city commission.

B. Awning, canopy, roller curtain or umbrella signs. Awning, canopy, roller curtain or umbrella signs shall be limited to one (1) owner per identification sign, and the total lettering area shall not be over sixteen (16) inches in height nor cover more than half the surface to which applied. Such signs in RM-15, RML-25, RMM-25 and RMH-25 zones shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet, and in RMH-60 zones such signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet. Lettering on awnings eight (8) inches or less in height shall not count in total number of signs located on a property, but shall comply with all other requirements of this Section 47-22.

C. Banner signs. Banner signs are prohibited, except as provided in this section. City-sponsored or co-sponsored events may be advertised provided that such display shall only be permitted as follows: ..........see code for details Banner sign: Any sign possessing characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations, or designed so as to attract attention by scenic effect, with or without characters; streamers, and wind-driven whirligigs, or other devices applied to cloth, paper, fabric, or like kind of material either with or without frame and which is not of permanent construction.

D. Boat dock and docking facility sign.....see code for details

E. Detached freestanding signs and pylon signs. Detached or free-standing sign: A single or multifaced sign erected on one (1) or more poles which is wholly independent of any building for support. The leading edge of a detached freestanding sign located in any zoning district shall be located a minimum of five (5) feet from the property line of the lot or plot on which the sign is located. Detached signs located within any zoning district abutting those trafficways subject to the Specific Location Requirements, Interdistrict Corridor Requirements as specified in Section 47-23.9 shall be located a minimum of twenty (20) feet from the property line of the lot or plot on which the sign is located, except for ground signs which shall have a five (5) foot setback, and shall not be located in the sight triangle.

1. Business zones. Size and height of freestanding, detached signs. A sign with multiple surfaces shall be limited to an aggregate size of one (1) square foot for each lineal foot of the designated frontage abutting the right-of-way with an aggregate maximum of three hundred (300) square feet and each surface of identical size. A single-face, detached, freestanding sign shall be limited to one (1) square foot of surface for each two (2) lineal feet of the designated frontage abutting the right-of-way with a maximum size of one hundred fifty (150) square feet. No more than one (1) detached, freestanding sign on any one (1) lot or plot shall be permitted, unless otherwise specifically provided in this section. Except as provided herein, a detached, freestanding sign shall not exceed a height of ten (10) feet above the grade of the street closest to the sign, except a fourteen (14) foot height similarly measured shall be permitted on the following streets:

a. Broward Boulevard, east and west;

b. Commercial Boulevard, east and west;

c. Federal Highway, north and south;

d. Oakland Park Boulevard;

e. Sunrise Boulevard, east and west;

f. State Road 84.

No sign shall exceed a 10:1 ratio of width to height. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, signs to be located on a site where development of such site requires approval by the development review committee site plan level II or by the planning and zoning board by site plan level III, or conditional use permit as provided in Section 47-24, Development Permits and Procedures, signs may be permitted at a height or ratio less than the maximum height or ratio permitted by this Section 47-22, but in noinstance shall the height or ratio of a sign be permitted to exceed the maximum height or ratio provided in this subsection.

2. Residential zones. Detached, freestanding signs shall not exceed a height of ten (10) feet above the grade of the street closest to the sign. Such signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in size, unless a more restrictive limitation is specified in this section. No more than one (1) such sign shall be permitted on any one (1) lot or plot.

3. Landscaping requirements.

a. All detached freestanding signs shall be landscaped underneath the sign. The landscaping shall consist of suitable vegetation and a sufficient irrigation system acceptable to the department. The dimensions of the landscaping shall be at least three (3) feet in width and extend at least the same length as the greatest dimension of the sign when measured parallel to the surface of the ground below the sign.

b. Where the required landscaping area reduces the number of parking spaces required by applicable city regulations for existing buildings, the landscaping area shall be reduced to the extent necessary to accommodate the required parking spaces.

c. The upper surface of the sign foundation shall be located at least eighteen (18) inches below the surface of the ground; provided, that a portion of the foundation may be exposed a maximum of four (4) inches above the surface of the ground in order to expose anchor bolts. The sign structure shall be surrounded by a curb, railroad ties, fencing or other vehicular barrier when determined by the department to be necessary to protect the sign structure and adjacent landscaping.

4. No detached, freestanding sign shall be permitted if a building has incorporated a pylon sign into the structure, and there shall be no pylon sign permitted in conjunction with a detached, freestanding sign.

5. A pylon sign with multiple surfaces shall be limited to an aggregate size of one (1) square foot for each lineal foot of the designated frontage abutting the right-of-way with an aggregate maximum of three hundred (300) square feet and each surface of identical size. A single-face pylon sign shall be limited to one (1) square foot of surface for each two (2) lineal feet of the designated frontage abutting the right-of-way with a maximum size of one hundred fifty (150) feet. A pylon sign shall not exceed a height of thirty (30) feet.

6. Detached freestanding and pylon signs in RM-15, RML-25, RMM-25 and RMH-25 districts shall be limited to twenty-four (24) square feet.

F. Directional signs. In residentially zoned districts, directional signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area nor four (4) feet in height. Such signs may be directional, caution or identification and may be illuminated. In business zoned districts directional signs shall not exceed eight (8) square feet in area nor four (4) feet in height. Such signs may be illuminated. No advertising shall be permitted except that no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of each face may be the owner's name or logo. All such signs shall be located on the property served, and the number shall not be greater than two (2) per curb cut or vehicular access point.

G. Flat signs/wall signs. Flat sign: A sign parallel to the face of any building. A flat sign is a painted sign or any sign erected flat against the face of, or not more than eighteen (18) inches from the face of the outside wall of any building and not extending more than eighteen (18) inches above the wall upon which it is placed and supported throughout its length by such wall. No protruding portion of such sign shall be nearer than nine (9) feet to a walk or any area where there is pedestrian traffic; nor shall it extend beyond the wall in a horizontal direction, nor shall it exceedtwenty-five percent (25%) of the size of the wall or a maximum of three hundred (300) square feet; providing, however, that a sign placed on a mansard fascia shall be permitted to be erected vertically if the bottom section of this sign does not extend more than eighteen (18) inches from the mansard fascia. Such signs in RM-15, RML-25, RMM-25 and RMH-25 zones shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet.

H. Ground sign. A detached sign installed at ground level in low profile. Ground signs may be used in any zoning district, except RS-4.4, RS-8 and RD-15, where permitted by ordinance. Such signs may not exceed five (5) feet in height and may not be installed in such a manner that a total height of eight (8) feet above natural grade is exceeded. Ground signs shall conform to size specifications as shown in subsection E.1. Ground signs shall have a minimum setback of five (5) feet from the front property line and a minimum of five (5) feet from interior side property line. Such signs in RC-15, RM-15, RML-25, RMM-25 and RMH-25 zones shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet. Such signs shall not be located within the twenty-five (25) foot sight triangle as described in this section.

I. Marquee sign. A sign attached to a marquee as is customarily used by a theater or hotel. A marquee is recognized as being an integral part of the building and of like material. Marquee signs shall be attached to any face of a marquee but no closer than two (2) feet from the edge of the curb or sidewalk. Such signs shall not extend above or below the face of the marquee. No portion of such sign shall be nearer than nine (9) feet to a walk or any area where there is pedestrian traffic.

J. Message center signs. Messages shall be limited to providing information for on-premise events and message center signs may only be displayed in connection with a facility that seats twelve thousand (12,000) persons and has two hundred thousand (200,000) square feet in floor area. Message center signs shall be subject to the following review processes and requirements: ...............

K. Outdoor advertising display signs. Reserved.

L. Point of purchase signs. Any sign used for advertising a product or service offered for sale and/or delivered on the premises that is the primary purpose of the business. Point of purchase signs may be any type of sign permitted by ordinance, but such signs shall be restricted to advertising the primary purpose of the business operation located on the same property. Point of purchase signs do not include business identification or directional signs as permitted by this ordinance. No more than two (2) products or services provided on the lot or plot where the sign is located may be advertised on the sign. Business identification or directional signs are not point of purchasesigns for purposes of this section. Area of point of purchase signs are to be calculated as part of the allowed flat/wall sign.

M. Pylon signs. Any sign structure that is an integral part of the building. Pylon signs may be used in any zoning district where permitted by ordinance as specified in this section.

N. Projecting signs. A sign projecting at any angle from an outside wall of any building. Projecting signs shall be permitted to project no more than three (3) feet from the building wall and no more than eighteen (18) inches above the roof or parapet. Such signs shall be no closer than two (2) feet from the curb or edge of the sidewalk, and no closer than nine (9) feet to the walkway below. All projecting signs shall be installed or erected in such a manner that there shall be no visible support structures such as angle irons, guy wires or braces.

O. Roof signs. Roof signs are hereby prohibited.

P. Shopping center or strip store signs. Shopping center or strip store signs shall be limited to one (1) detached, freestanding sign for each street front as regulated by this section. The maximum number of detached, freestanding signs shall be two (2) for any single lot or plot. Such signs may bear the name of the shopping center or a directory of occupants, or a combination of the shopping center name and a directory of occupants. No occupant may occupy more space on the sign than any other occupant. In addition, each store, office or place ofbusiness shall be permitted no more than one (1) flat sign (excluding freestanding detached signs and eight-inch lettering on awning signs), except when a store, office or place of business faces two (2) street fronts or vehicle travelways, then one (1) flat sign facing on each street front shall be permitted. If two (2) flat signs are to be erected, then the total aggregate area of the two (2) flat signs shall not exceed three hundred (300) square feet. No sign will be permitted above the ground floor level where the structure exceeds one (1) level in a shopping center or strip store.

Q. Scintillating signs. Scintillating signs are hereby prohibited. A sign with moving parts and/or lights, excepting message center signs. A scintillating sign shall also include a sign which has "chasing action" or "scintillating action." "Chasing action" is the action of a row of lights commonly used to create the appearance of motion, the effect of which is obtained by turning a sequence of lights off at timed intervals so that a group of shadows appear to flow in one (1) direction. "Scintillating action" is that effect which gives the appearance of twinkling lights with such lights blinking on and off in a random or patterned manner.

R. Sidewalk, sandwich or movable signs. Sidewalk, sandwich or movable signs are hereby prohibited. Any movable sign not secured or attached to the ground or a structure.

S. Snipe signs. Snipe signs are hereby prohibited. Snipe sign: Any sign or any material including, but not limited to, paper, paint, cardboard, plastic, wood and metal when such sign is attached in any way to trees, motor vehicles, trailers, or waterborne craft or other objects used for advertising purposes.

T. Supergraphics signs. A design or pictorial representation that contains no lettering or business identification or logo used as a sign as defined herein. Supergraphics signs are a special permitted use on building walls in any zone; provided, however, the design for the supergraphics has been reviewed and approved by the building and zoning department under the criteria as follows:

1. The proposed general design, arrangement, texture, material, colors, lighting, placement, and the appropriateness of the proposed sign in relationship to other signs and the other structures both on the premises and in the surrounding areas, and only approve signs which are consistent with the intent, purposes, standards, and criteria of the sign regulations.

2. The number of items (scenes, symbols, shapes) shall be consistent with the amount of information which can be comprehended by the viewer and avoid visual clutter.

3. The shape of the sign shall not create visual clutter.

4. The size, style, and location of the sign shall be appropriate to the activity of the message.

5. The sign shall complement the building and adjacent buildings by being designed and placed to enhance the architecture.

6. The sign should be consolidated into a minimum number of elements.

U. Temporary builders signs. Temporary builders signs will be permitted anywhere in the city, subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

1. In all residentially zoned districts, except RO, ROA and ROC, such signs shall not exceed four hundred eighty (480) square inches in area, where the building plot abuts only one (1) street and not more than two (2) of such signs facing on different streets, except where a sign is installed on a tool house, and then the total area of such sign shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet. No other temporary building sign shall be allowed on the plot.

2. In RO, ROA and ROC zones and all other districts, a single sign of not more than sixteen (16) square feet of advertising surface will be permitted.

3. Such signs may not be erected more than ninety (90) days prior to the beginning of actual construction of the project and must be removed when construction is completed, except that renewal permits may be granted for ninety (90) day periods.

4. A permit for a temporary builders sign shall be secured prior to the placing of the same, and if project construction is not commenced within ninety (90) days after a sign permit is issued, or if such construction should not be continuous after the issuance of such permit and the commencement of construction, said sign shall forthwith be removed.

5. All advertising connected with any project shall be included only on temporary builders signs.

6. No permit may be issued to re-erect a temporary builders sign until the building permit has been reissued or a new building permit secured.

V. Temporary real estate signs. In all residential districts, no permit shall be required for temporary real estate signs. In all residential districts in the city, no temporary real estate sign ("For Sale," "For Rent" or "For Lease") shall be permitted except those erected by the property owner or the owner's agent, and such signs shall be subject to the following conditions:

1. The wording on such signs shall be limited to the phrases, "For Sale by Owner," "For Rent by Owner," "For Lease by Owner," "For Sale by Owner's Agent" and "For Rent by Owner's Agent," and may carry the telephone number of the owner or the owner's agent or the phrase, "Inquire Within," or "See Your Broker" or any other information relating to the premises except that said sign shall contain the registered name of the selling broker and the term "Broker" or "Realtor" as the case may be.

2. In residentially zoned districts, except in RO, ROA and ROC, the size of each sign shall be limited to an area of not more than four hundred eighty (480) square inches per side, and may permit lettering on both front and rear. In RO, ROA, ROC, and all other districts, such signs shall be limited to sixteen (16) square feet. No more than two (2) accessory signs may be placed on a temporary real estate sign and their area shall be included within the four hundred eighty (480) square inches allowed.

3. One (1) temporary real estate sign for each street front shall be permitted on a property and shall relate only to the premises on which it is erected. The word "property" is defined as one (1) or more lots, part of a lot or parts of lots as may constitute the extent of the property being offered for sale, rent or lease. This shall not exclude the temporary use of an "open house" sign not to exceed four hundred eighty (480) square inches in area, to be used only when the owner or agent is on the premises. In addition, one (1) off premise "open house," self-sustaining directional sign, located on one (1) parcel of property, will be permitted between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., provided the sign is located on private property with the written permission of the property owner. Wording of the sign shall be limited to the words "open house" and shall contain the name of the sign owner or the name of the real estate agency. The sign shall neither exceed four hundred eighty (480) square inches in area nor be erected to exceed a height of three (3) feet above ground level. In addition to any penalty for violation of the foregoing provisions regulating "open house" signs, any such sign which does not comply with the provisions will be removed by the city and will not be returned to its owner until a retrieval fee of five dollars ($5.00) per sign is paid.

4. In all business areas in the city, no temporary real estate signs ("For Sale," "For Rent" or "For Lease") will be allowed having more than sixteen (16) square feet in area. No fees shall be charged for such signs nor shall a permit be required therefor.

W. Under-canopy sign. The bottom of any sign installed under a canopy shall not be less than seven (7) feet six (6) inches above grade over public property, nor shall such sign extend beyond the outside edge of the canopy nor be closer than eighteen (18) inches to the outside edge of the curb or sidewalk. Under-canopy signs in a shopping center or a group of strip stores shall be a minimum of seven (7) feet six (6) inches from the bottom of the sign to the private sidewalk or other surface below. No sign shall be permitted on the upper surface of any canopy. No under-canopy signs shall exceed eight (8) square feet and all such signs shall be perpendicular to the face of the building. Under-canopy signs shall not be counted in determining the maximum number of signs permitted at a location pursuant to this Section 47-22.

X. Window signs.

1. No window signs shall exceed twenty percent (20%) of the glass surface to which it is directly applied. Any sign or illustrations or symbols attached to, painted on or affixed by any method directly to the interior or exterior of the glass of any door or window, or within six (6) inches of a window.

(Ord. No. C-97-19, § 1(47-22.3), 6-18-97; Ord. No. C-04-3, § 7, 2-3-04; Ord. No. C-04-61, § 1, 11-16-04; Ord. No. C-06-04, § 1, 2-7-06)

Sec. 47-22.4. Maximum number of signs at one location and special requirements in zoning districts.

A. Business and RMH-60 zones. The following regulations shall apply in all business zoning districts and in and RMH-60 zoning districts:

1. Single business buildings. The total number of signs on any one (1) lot or plot shall not exceed four (4). The signs shall be limited and oriented to be viewed from the streets and vehicle travelways abutting the lot or plot as follows (streets and vehicle trafficways that are located parallel to one (1) another are considered separate): Vehicle travelway: Any alley or parking space way twenty (20) feet or more in width.

TABLE INSET:

Number of Streets or Vehicle Travelways	Maximum Number of Signs
One (1) street or one (1) travelway	Two (2) signs, no more than one (1) being a freestanding sign
One (1) street and one (1) or more vehicle travelways	Three (3) signs, no more than one (1) being a freestanding sign
Two (2) streets and no vehicle travelways	Three (3) signs, no more than one (1) being a freestanding sign
Two (2) streets and one (1) vehicle travelway	Three (3) signs, no more than one (1) being a freestanding sign
Two (2) streets and two (2) or more vehicle travelways	Four (4) signs, no more than one (1) being a freestanding sign
Three (3) streets and no vehicle travelways	Four (4) signs, no more than two (2) being freestanding signs
Four (4) streets and no vehicle travelways	Four (4) signs, no more than two (2) being freestanding signs
Four (4) streets and one (1) or more vehicle travelways	Four (4) signs, no more than two (2) being freestanding signs
Five (5) streets and no vehicle travelways	Four (4) signs, no more than two (2) being freestanding signs

2. Multiple tenant office buildings. Any building which contains two (2) or more office tenants will be permitted one (1) building identification flat sign on each street frontage and only one (1) building identification ground sign. However, when located on three (3) street fronts then two (2) building identification ground signs shall be permitted. Ground signs may contain street number and street name. A wall directory sign will be permitted at each building entrance provided that such directory sign may not exceed a total of eight (8) square feet.

3. Multiple tenant office buildings with ground level stores. Any building as defined in subsection A.2, which contains ground level store(s), shop(s) or bay tenant(s) shall be permitted one (1) sign for each individual store, shop or bay per street front or vehicular travelway. Such signs shall not extend beyond the ground floor level. All such signs shall be identical in color and installed at a uniform height above ground level. Letters for all signs shall not exceed twenty-four (24) inches in height and shall be identical in physical design.

B. Residential zones. As used in this section, the term "location" means that area for which a site plan has previously been filed with the city.

1. The maximum number of signs for any one (1) location in multi-residential zones shall be as follows:

a. RM-15: one (1) sign.

b. RML-25: one (1) sign.

c. RMM-25: one (1) sign.

d. RMH-25: one (1) sign.

2. However, if any location has more than one (1) street frontage, one (1) sign shall be permitted on each street frontage not exceeding a total of four (4) signs, three (3) of which must be placed and situated on the existing building at any such location.

C. Special regulations. The following special regulations shall apply in the zoning districts indicated and shall prevail over any conflicting regulations contained in the ULDR:

1. In the RM-15, RML-25 and RMM-25 districts, signs shall contain only the name of the business, building or establishment located on the same lot or plot.

2. In the RMH-25 district, the location, size, character, height and orientation of signs shall be included in a development plan subject to department Permits and Procedures, site plan level I, as provided in Sec. 47-24.2.

3. In the RMH-60 and RMH-25 districts, signs advertising restaurants, dining rooms and cocktail lounges which are accessory to hotels or motels located on the same lot or plot shall be limited as follows:

a. For each street front, one (1) sign, not to exceed fifteen (15) square feet in area shall be allowed for each one hundred (100) feet of street frontage or fraction thereof, but in no case shall the total number of such signs exceed two (2) signs per street frontage.

4. In the RMH-60 district, the location, size, character, height and orientation of signs shall be included in a development plan subject to department Permits and Procedures, site plan level I, as provided in Sec. 47-24.2.

5. In the RO and ROA districts, no roof sign, projecting sign, marquee sign, billboard sign, banner sign or animated sign shall be permitted; each building occupied by a permitted use as a principal use may have one (1) wall sign not exceeding two (2) feet in width or ten (10) feet in length; each building site occupied by a permitted use may have one (1) ground sign not exceeding three (3) feet in width or five (5) feet in length, the top of which shall not be over five (5) feet above the ground; and each building site may have directional signs each not over two (2) square feet in area and not extending over three (3) feet above the ground.

6. In the ROC district, the location, size, character, height and orientation of all signs shall be included in a development plan in accordance with the site plan subject to department Permits and Procedures, site plan level I, as provided in Sec. 47-24.2.

7. In any zoning district abutting those trafficways subject to the requirements for Specific Location Requirements, Interdistrict Corridor Requirements as specified in Sec. 47-23.9, ground signs and directional signs as described in this section may be permitted in the setback area, but in no case closer than five (5) feet from a property line.

8. If a sign is part of an overall development which requires a development permit the location, size, character, height, and orientation of such sign(s) shall be included in the development plan and approved pursuant to the same provisions as that which apply to the overall development.

9. In the AIP district, ............ see Code for details

10. In the GAA district, ............ see Code for details

11. In the H-1 district, the signs shall comply with the requirements set out in Section 47-16, Historic Preservation District.

12. In any parking lot located in a residential zoning district, all signs shall be nonilluminated ground signs, each not exceeding six (6) square feet in area and four (4) feet in overall height above the ground. Such signs shall be of the caution, directional or owner-identification type.

13. In the Central Beach Districts, as described in Section 47-12, and in the Downtown Regional Activity Center (RAC) Districts, as described in Section 47-13, all signs shall comply with the following:

a. Freestanding detached signs, pylon signs, projecting signs, roof signs, billboards, window signs, message center signs and time and temperature units shall be prohibited. Notwithstanding this prohibition, ground signs shall be permitted in accordance with the requirements of this section.

b. Marquee signs shall be permitted and will be approved under the procedures for developments of limited impact in accordance with the provisions of Section 47-12, Central Beach Districts. Such signs shall be limited to an area of ten percent (10%) of the marquee area upon which the sign is to be erected or sixty (60) square feet, whichever is less. When a marquee sign is proposed to be larger than set out above, then such sign shall only be permitted in the central beach area zoning districts if approved asa development of intermediate impact in accordance with the provisions of Section 47-12, Central Beach Districts, and in the RAC districts if it receives a site plan level III permit.

c. Ground signs shall be permitted and shall be limited to five (5) feet in height and thirty-two (32) square feet in surface area and shall be set back five (5) feet from any property line if both sides of such a sign have copy. If copy appears only on a single side of such sign, then two (2) such signs of sixteen (16) square feet each shall be permitted on either side of an entranceway and said signs shall be setback five (5) feet from property line and not within five (5) feet of the edge of any pavement orsidewalk.

d. Flat signs shall be permitted and shall be limited as follows:

i. If such sign is to be located within sixty (60) feet of ground level, then such sign shall be no larger than ten percent (10%) of the wall area upon which it is to be erected or one hundred twenty (120) square feet, whichever is less.

ii. If such a sign is to be located between sixty-one (61) feet and one hundred (100) feet above ground level, then such a sign shall be no larger than ten percent (10%) of the wall area upon which it is to be erected or two hundred (200) square feet, whichever is less.

iii. If such sign is to be located over one hundred (100) feet above ground level, then such a sign shall be no larger than ten percent (10%) of the wall area upon which it is to be erected or three hundred (300) square feet, whichever is less.

iv. A flat sign is a painted sign or any sign erected flat against the face of, or not more than eighteen (18) inches from the face of the outside wall of any building and not extending more than eighteen (18) inches above the wall upon which it is placed and supported throughout its length by such wall. No protruding portion of such sign shall be nearer than nine (9) feet to a walk or any area where there is pedestrian traffic; nor shall it extend beyond the wall in a horizontal direction; provided, however, that a sign placed on a mansard fascia shall be permitted to be erected vertically if the bottom section of this sign does not extend more than eighteen (18) inches from the mansard fascia.

e. Accessory use signs shall be permitted in accordance with subsection C.3.

f. Undercanopy signs shall be permitted in the ABA zoning district and within the RAC districts along pedestrian priority designated streets only and shall be limited to one (1) sign per separate entranceway for a business and such signs shall not exceed eight (8) square feet in total area.

g. Directional signs shall be permitted and shall be limited to four (4) square feet in total, two (2) square feet per side, four (4) feet in height.

h. Flags shall be permitted and shall be limited in number to one (1) flag for each fifteen (15) lineal feet of street frontage per building site.

i. Boat docking facilities having no supporting facilities shall be permitted to erect one (1) ground sign per facility which sign shall be limited to thirty-two (32) square feet. Each boat or boat slip shall be permitted a sign of four (4) square feet that shall not exceed five (5) feet in height above the top of the seawall.

j. Awning signs shall be permitted and shall be limited to sixteen (16) square feet and shall be erected in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 47-22.3.B.

k. The number of signs at each site shall be limited in accordance with the provisions of this section.

l. When any sign is proposed to be constructed or erected which does not comply in all respects with the requirements for signs in the central beach zoning districts and in the downtown RAC districts, then such signs shall only be permitted in the central beach zoning districts if approved as a development of intermediate impact and in the downtown RAC districts if it receives a site plan level III permit.

m. Amortization period. All signs in the central beach zoning districts shall comply with the requirements of this section by October 11, 1996. All signs in the downtown RAC districts shall comply with the requirements of this section by June 28, 2002.

Sec. 47-22.6. Detailed requirements governing signs and advertising displays.

A. Not to interfere with public. Any sign or advertising display or any item, device, seating arrangement, structure or any movable object shall not create a traffic or fire hazard, or be dangerous to the general welfare or interfere with the free use of public streets or sidewalks.

B. Avoidance of fire hazard. There shall be no weeds within a radius of ten (10) feet of any sign or advertising display or billboard, and no rubbish or debris shall be permitted so near thereto that the same shall constitute a fire hazard.

C. Imprint of owner's name or maker's name. All signs and advertising displays shall be marked with the maker's name, registry number of permit and, for incandescent lamp signs, the number of lamp holders; and for electric discharge signs with an indication of the input amperes at full load and input voltage. All transformers shall be marked with the maker's name and the input rating in amperes or volt amperes, the input voltage, and the open circuit high tension voltage. All such markings for any sign or advertising display shall be visible for inspection after installation.

D. Obstruction of doors, windows and fire escapes. No sign or advertising display shall be attached to or placed against a building in such a manner as to prevent ingress or egress through any door or window, nor shall any sign or advertising display obstruct or be attached to a fire escape.

E. Posting or tacking notices and signs.

1. No person shall paint, paste, print, nail or fasten in any manner whatsoever any banner, sign, paper, flag or any advertisement or notice of any kind, on any curbstone, flagstone, pavement or any other portion or part of a sidewalk or street, or upon any trees, lamppost, parking meter post, telephone or telegraph pole, hydrant, traffic sign, fence, bridge, workshop or tool shed, or upon any structure within the boundaries of any streets within the city unless otherwise permitted hereunder. The posting or tacking of any banner, sign, handbill, advertisement, flag or notice of any kind upon any private wall, window, door, gate, fence, electric light post, telephone pole or upon any other private structure or building, other than flags on flag poles, is hereby prohibited. Legal notices required by law to be so posted are hereby excepted.

2. An exception to this prohibition is made for banners erected in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 47-22.3.C and holiday decorations erected in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 47-22.7.A.4. No person shall cause any act prohibited under this Sec. 47-22.6 to be attempted or accomplished by any other person.

F. Kept in good repair. All signs and advertising displays must be kept in good condition and a good state of repair and must further be well painted and neatly maintained. Any sign or advertising display which becomes or has become at least fifty percent (50%) destroyed shall be deemed a public nuisance and shall be removed by the owner of the sign or advertising display or the owner of the premises upon which the same is situated in accordance with the procedures outlined in subsection H.

G. Vacated buildings.

1. Any nonconforming sign shall be removed immediately upon a change of tenancy. All signs in conformance with this section shall be removed, altered or resurfaced not later than sixty (60) days after any tenancy ceases. In the event of noncompliance with the aforesaid terms and provisions, the city shall remove such signs at the expense of the property owner.

2. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 47-22, any on premise sign which is located on property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of at least three (3) months, or any sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which is no longer imminent or pending shall be deemed to have been abandoned. Permanent signs applicable to a business temporarily suspended because of a change of ownership or management shall not be deemed abandoned unless the property remains vacant for a period of six (6)months. Abandoned signs are prohibited and shall be removed by the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises in accordance with the procedures outlined in subsection H.

H. Removal of signs. The city reserves the right to remove any sign or advertising display which is being maintained contrary to any of the terms and provisions of the Code, and any such sign or advertising display is hereby deemed a public nuisance. The building official shall give notice to the person owning such sign or advertising display and to the owner or lessee of the property upon which the same is located specifying the location of such sign or advertising display and the nature of the violation being committed by the maintenance or keeping of the same. Such notice shall also specify what is required in order to conform such sign or advertising display to the requirements and provisions of this Code. Such notice shall further specify that in the event such sign or advertising display is not conformed to the provisions of this Code, the city will take any and all action necessary in order to accomplish such result, all at the cost and expense of both the person owning such sign or advertising display and the owner or lessee of the property upon which the same is situated. Notice shall be served by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested. Service by mail shall be deemed complete upon delivery. In the event that the address of the person to be notified is unknown or the certified mail is returned either unclaimed or refused, such notice may be served by posting the same on in a conspicuous place on the premises upon which the offending sign or advertising display is located, in which event service shall be deemed complete as of the moment of posting. The person owning the offending sign or advertising display and/or the owner or lessee of the property upon which the same is situated, within fifteen (15) days after the receipt or the posting of the aforementioned notice, whichever is applicable, shall take whatever action is necessary in order to remedy and cure the defects pointed out in the notice given by the building official. In the event of a sign or advertising display which has been at least fifty percent (50%) destroyed, however, a new permit shall be secured before any remedial action is undertaken with regard to any such sign or advertising display. If the owner of the offending advertising display and/or the owner or lessee of the property upon which the same is situated shall fail to remedy the defects pointed out in the notice given by the building official within the aforementioned fifteen (15) day period, the building official may cause such sign or advertising display to be removed at theexpense of both the owner of said sign or advertising display and/or the owner or lessee of the property upon which the same is located, or the building official may effect repairs to such sign or advertising display and/or the owner or lessee of the property upon which the same is located, or the building official may effect repairs to such sign or advertising display in order to cause the same to conform to the terms and provisions of the Code, again at the expense of the person owning such sign or advertising display and the owner and/or lessee of the property upon which the same is situated. Notwithstanding anything hereinabove to the contrary, the building official may forthwith remove any sign or advertising display where the same is imminently dangerous to the general health, safety and welfare of the public or where the same poses an immediate threat thereto.

I. Credit card signs (special privilege). One (1) credit card sign per place of business may be installed. Installation shall be flush on the face of the building and the size of such sign shall be limited to eighteen (18) inches by twenty-four (24) inches or, in the alternative, shall be an integral part of any other sign permitted by the ULDR. The provisions of this subsection I shall be applicable to hotels and motels as well as other business establishments.

J. Illuminated signs and other lighting effects.

1. Illuminated and other lighting effects shall not create a nuisance to adjacent property or create a traffic hazard, and all illuminated signs or other lighting effects must be disconnected or turned off when hurricane warnings are in effect. Lighting, including neon tubing or other similar devices other than indirect lighting, may be used in sign design or to outline any building.

2. Building outlining with neon tubing or other special lighting effects will be restricted to two (2) linear feet of neon tubing to each foot of street frontage. Display of neon tubing or other special lighting effects will be limited to the maximum of two (2) parallel lines of neon tubing. Neon tubing or other special lighting effects when used in sign design will be restricted to two (2) linear feet of neon tubing or the like for each foot of street frontage.

K. Signs or advertising displays. Signs or advertising displays shall not be erected or maintained under, over or adjacent to any power lines unless the following clearances are met:

1. Under six hundred (600) volts: Three (3) feet.

2. Over six hundred (600) volts: Eight (8) feet.

L. Special requirements for service stations. All lights and lighting upon or from a service station building or upon or from a service station sign shall be designed and arranged so as not to cause a direct glare into residentially zoned property. Price signs shall be an integral part of the maximum size permitted but may not exceed fifteen (15) square feet of that maximum size per side, and shall be immediately adjacent to each sign permitted in the group.

M. Lighting requirements.

1. The provisions of this section shall apply to the erection, installation and construction of both on- and off-premise electric signs.

2. All electric signs constructed, erected, altered, repaired or installed under the jurisdiction of the ULDR, all exterior stationary electric lighting or illumination systems or any interior lighting or illumination systems which may be viewed from a public street, highway or other public thoroughfare used by vehicular traffic, and any signs and lighting installations which may be viewed from a main thoroughfare or a freeway, shall be installed in conformance with the applicable provisions set forth herein.

3. No person shall construct, establish or create, and no person shall maintain any stationary exterior lighting or illumination system or any interior system which may be viewed from a public street, highway or other public thoroughfare used by vehicular traffic, which contains or utilizes the following:

a. Any exposed incandescent lamp with a wattage in excess of forty (40) watts when the same is located within fifteen (15) feet of a street.

b. Any exposed incandescent lamp with an internal metallic reflector.

c. Any exposed incandescent lamp with an external reflector.

d. Any revolving beacon light.

N. Special promotions.

1. Upon payment of proper permit fees, special promotions may be conducted for a period of not more than thirty (30) days. Inflatables or banners may be used as special promotions. Special promotions signs will be permitted in show windows, in lieu of a banner or inflatable. For service stations, one (1) eighteen (18) inch by twenty-four (24) inch sign may be affixed to the top of each pump, in addition to a banner or inflatable. Special promotions displays shall be limited to one (1) per location per calendaryear. Inflatables are not permitted on roof tops.

2. Upon payment of proper permit fees, promotions of the "grand opening" type will be permitted at any place of a newly licensed business for a thirty (30) day period. Signs for such promotion must be securely anchored and may not exceed an aggregate total of five hundred (500) square feet. No whirligigs, streamers or sandwich signs will be permitted. Inflatables or banners may be used as "grand opening" type signs. However, inflatable or banner type signs shall not be permitted on rooftops.

(Ord. No. C-97-19, § 1(47-22.6), 6-18-97)