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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 88-25 , a . ORDINANCE NO. 88-25 CITY OF OCOEE . AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA, RELATING TO SIGN REGULATIONS; REPEALING THE PRESENT SECTION 10 OF CHAPTER III OF APPENDIX A OF THE CODE, RELATING TO SIGN REGULATIONS; ADOPTING A NEW SECTION 10 OF CHAPTER III OF APPENDIX A OF THE CODE, RELATING TO SIGN REGULATIONS; ESTABLISHING THE PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE REGULATIONS; ESTABLISHING STANDARDS FOR SIGNS; ESTAB- LISHING A PERMIT PROCEDURE; AMENDING SEC- TION 6 OF CHAPTER II OF APPENDIX A OF THE CODE, RELATING TO SIGN PERMIT FEES; PROVI- DING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA Section 1. The City Commission of the City of Ocoee has the authority to adopt this Ordinance pursuant to Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Florida, and Chapters 163 and 166, Florida Statutes. Section 2. The present Chapter III, Section 10 of Appendix A of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ocoee, Florida, is hereby repealed in its entirety. Section 3. A new Chapter III, Section 10 of Appendix A of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ocoee, Florida, is hereby adopted as follows: SECTION 10. SIGN REGULATIONS 10.1 Scope and Purpose of Siqn Requlations The regulations and requirements herein set forth shall be the minimum requirements to promote the public health, safety and general welfare, and to protect the character of residential, business and industrial areas throughout the City. The purpose of this Section is to ensure that the display of signs is appropriate to the land, building or use to which they are appurtenant and that signs are adequate, but not excessive, for identification or advertisement. . Signs placed on land or on a building for identification or for advertising a use conducted thereon or therein shall be deemed to be accessory and incidental to the land, building or use. with respect to signs advertising busi~e~s uses. this Ordinance is intended to reduce clutter among sign dis- plays. Signs commonly referred to as outdoor advertising, billboards or poster panels which advertise products or businesses not connected with the site on which they are located are deemed by this section to constitute a separate use and are pro- hibited in each and every zoning district within the City. The prohibition of the display of such advertising is deemed to be appropriate to the character and sound development of the City. It is also intended that all temporary signs erected for directional purposes, public information, or to direct atten- tion to special events shall be confined to those that are of a general public interest and that such signs shall be limited to the giving of such information. 10.2 Administration of section The following provisions shall govern the administration of this section: . (1) Buildinq Permit Required - No person shall erect, alter, repair or relocate any sign without first obtaining a Build- ing Permit for such work from the Building Official of the City of Ocoee. No permit shall be issued until the Building Official and Planning Director determine that such work is in accordance with the requirements contained in this section. (2) Drawing - Every application shall be accompanied by a drawing of the proposed sign showing the location, height, size, and distance from property lines and from other signs where applicable. (3) Exception. Chanqeable Copv Sign - The changing of advertising copy or message on signs which are specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy shall not require a Building Permit. 10.3 General Requirements for All Siqns (1) Illumination of Siqns - Light from an illuminated sign shall be shaded, shielded, or directed so that the light shall not adversely affect the surrounding or facing premises or adversely affect the safe vision of operators of vehicles moving on public or private roads, highways or parking areas. Light shall not shine directly on or into residential structures. (2) Exposed Siqn Structure - No structure or framework may be exposed by removal of sign faces or advertising copy for a period in excess of 30 days. (3) Unsafe Siqns - Should any sign become insecure or in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe in the opinion of the Building Official, the owner, or the person or firm main- taining the sign, shall upon written notice from the Building Inspector, secure the sign in a manner to be approved by the Building Official in conformity with the provisions of this Code, or remove the sign. If such notice is not complied with in 10 days the Building Official shall remove the sign at the expense of the owner. (4) Maintenance - All signs, together with their parts, supports, braces, guys and anchors shall be maintained, treated and/or painted. Unless made of galvanized or non-corroding material, all signs shall be thoroughly painted at least once every two years. . (5) Location Restrictions - Signs shall not be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire e~r.~rQ. window, or door or opening used as a means of egress. A sign shall not be attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire escape, nor be placed in such manner as to interfere with any opening required for ventilation. (6) Compliance with Other Requlations - All signs as defined by this section shall be erected, altered and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this section and shall be designed and installed in compliance with the requirements of the Building and Electrical Codes of the City of Ocoee. - 2 - ,.,-- (7) Enforcement - The Planning Director is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all provisions of this Section. (8) Interpretation - Where there is any ambiguity or dispute concerning the interpretation of this Section, the decision of the Planning Director shall prevail, subject to appeal as provided in Chapter II Section 4 of the Zoning Ordinance. (9) Conflict With Other Regulations - Where the provisions of this Section are in conflict with any other ordinance or code or parts of ordinances or codes, the most stringent provision shall govern. . 10.4 General Standards The following sign standards shall apply in the applicable zoning districts established on the Official Zoning Map. Signs as described herein shall be permitted and erected upon improved property located in AI, A2, PS, Cl, C2, C3, II, and I2 zoning districts, except as provided for in Section 10.5 of this Chapter. (1) Maximum Allowable Copy Area Unless otherwise specified, a total sign area of two square feet shall be allowed for each linear foot of building front- age along the primary street frontage of the building. If the building has frontage on more than one street, addition- al sign area shall be allowed, based on one square foot for each linear foot of building frontage along the secondary street frontage of the building site. (a) Measurement of Building Frontage - For purposes of sign area computation, the building frontage shall be that part of the building where lines perpendicular to a straight line connecting the corners of the building site intersect the building, as shown in the illustrations below. --'./ c:j property line J : I ! FI I ~~~~----- I,:' ~ : I ", ---------~----- corner pojnt I: ; "'..: l ~ ( primary ) ) primary '-..) frontage Sn;EET V frontage property '. line? "-.... .".. ..'/" ..V primary ./ frontage property line . (b) Sign Shape and Area Computation - In computing sign area in square feet, standard mathematical forms for known common shapes will be used. Conunon shapes shall include squares, rectangles, cones, spheres, trapezoids, triangles, circles, ovals, cylinders and other simple forms for which surface area formu- las are established. At the discretion of the Building Official, complex forms may be broken down into component simple forms; however, all area within the perimeter of the sign shall be included. All words and components of a sign or related message shall be included as one sign. Individual words or components may be considered separate signs only if they express a complete independent message and are - 3 - separated so as to be obviously disassociated from other message or components. (i) When signs are enclosed in a border or high- lighted by background graphics, the perimeter of such border or background will be used to compute area. . (ii) The Building Inspector shall have the discretion to make minor adjustments and/or deviations from the principles stated herein in order to assure that the reasonable intent of this Sec- tion is fUlfilled, that equality is achieved in the computation, and that reasonable adver- tising exposure is allowed. (c) MUlti-faced Siqns - On any sign with more than one face, the maximum number of advertising surfaces visible from any location will be counted; provided, however, that all advertising surfaces of a multi- faced sign shall be equal in size and height and contained within a common perimeter. (2) Tvpes and Locations of Allowed Siqns Only the following types of signs constructed in the following manner shall be permitted: (a) Awninq Sign - An awning sign built in accordance with the Standard Building Code and so as not to interfere with safe vehicle traffic flow shall be permitted, but shall count in allowable signage for the building. (b) Ground or Pole Siqns - A ground or pole sign shall only be permitted when the lot upon which it is to be placed has a minimum of 40 linear feet of front- age. No ground or pole sign shall be erected closer than 40 feet to any other ground or pole sign, except where the locations of existing ground or pole signs on adjacent lots would make this require- ment impossible to meet. No part of any sign shall extend beyond any right-of-way line nor shall any part of any sign project beyond any building restric- tion line. Ground and pole signs are not permitted in agricultural districts Al or A2. The following is the maximum height allowed for ground or pole signs: Zoninq District Heiqht . PS CI C2 C3 II I2 15 20 25 25 25 25 (c) Marquee Siqns - Signs may be placed on the vertical faces or on top of a marquee but no such sign shall project more than 24 inches above the marquee's upper edge nor extend beyond the marquee's perimeter, nor shall any part of such sign, except those on awnings, project below the bottom of the vertical face of the marquee. One sign, not more than three square feet in area and limited to the name of the business, may be attached to the bottom of a mar- quee at a business entrance and shall be excluded from the allowable copy area; provided, however, that such sign may exceed three square feet in area - 4 - and that this additional area shall be included as part of the allowable sign area for the building. (d) proiecting siqns - No projecting sign or supporting structure shall extend above the top of a parapet wall, nor shall any such sign extend more than 20 feet above ground level to the top of the sign. (e) Roof Siqns - No part of any roof sign or roof sign structure shall project beyond the building wall. Roof signs shall extend no more than 25 feet above ground level to the top of the sign. (f) Wall siqn - No wall sign or supporting structure shall project more than 12 inches from the wall of a building. Where an exterior parapet wall projects above the roof line, such signs may extend to the top of such wall. However, no wall sign shall extend more than 25 feet above ground level to the top of the sign, nor above the roof line. (g) window siqns. Attached - signs which are physically attached to any surface of a window are not permitted. . (h) window Siqns. unattached - signs located on the interior of a business, but visible from the exterior of the building, are permitted and are not charged against the maximum allowable signage area if such signs are not physically attached to the window. 10.5 Billboards Billboards and other outdoor advertising signs shall be prohibited in each and every zoning district within the city, except for signs placed on land or on a building for identification or for advertising a use conducted thereon or therein consistent with the requirements of this Ordinance. 10.6 other siqns - General Requirements Unless otherwise specified, the following sign regulations shall apply generallY throughout the city: (1) Banner Siqns (a) street Banner Siqns - shall be prohibited. (b) orqanizational Banner siqns - (i) No banner sign shall be utilized by any organization unless first approved in writing by the Building Official, which approval will be issued upon a finding of the following facts: That the applicant is a public body or is a fraternal, benovolent, charitable, eleemosynary, philanthropic, altruistic, civic, community, veteran, educational organization or other organization of like or similar nature and that the banner is to be located on the premi- ses owned or leased by the said applicant. . That the banner advertises an event, function or thing of public interest which is open to the public. That the banner or copy thereon does not violate any provisions of this section. - 5 - (ii) Applications for banner signs under this section shall be submitted in writing to the Build- ing Department and shall contain all pertinent in- formation relating to the organization, event, and banner. All approvals or denials shall be in writ- ing on, or accompanied by, one copy of the applica- tion. Approvals shall clearly state the dates the banner may be displayed and information regarding an approved location within the following limits: . Banners may be permitted up to 14 days prior to and three days following an event with an overall limit of 30 days total use. However, the Building Official may approve, upon request of the original applicant and upon showing of just cause, up to a 60 day extension beyond the original 30 day limit. No additional ex- tensions shall be considered upon the expira- tion of the ninety-day period should the maxi- mum extension be granted. Banners shall be limited to one banner on any street frontage of the property and may be mounted on a building or other appropriate support. If not mounted on a building, the banner must be at least 15 feet from adjacent property lines and not over 20 feet above the ground. Each banner shall be limited to a maximum of 40 square feet area. All banners shall be maintained in good condi- tion and shall be repaired or removed within 24 hours of notice that such action is requir- ed. (iii) Banner signs allowed under this section shall be exempt from building permit requirements listed in section 10.2, above. (iv) No streamers, pennants, flags, ribbons, spin- ners, or other prohibited devices, shall be includ- ed or incorporated with the display of a banner approved under this section. (v) If an application for an organizational banner sign is denied by the Building Official, the appli- cant may appeal such denial to the City Commission of the City of Ocoee if written notice of such appeal is given to the City Clerk of the City of Ocoee within 10 days after the date of such written denial. . (2) Community Center Siqns One sign of a permanent nature, setting forth the name or services of a community center, church or other similar organization permitted in any zoning district other than commercial or industrial shall be allowed without permit on the site. Signs shall not be located in the front 50 percent of any required front yard. Such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area. If ground mounted, the top of the sign shall be no more than six feet above ground level. - 6 - (3) Construction Siqns One sign may be erected upon lots or parcels of land where a building permit has been secured for construction of a build- ing or project on such lot or parcel of land. The sign may denote the owner, architect, financial institution, general contractor, subcontractors, and any statement pertaining to the building or project under construction. The sign shall be removed when the building has been completed, prior to issuance of the final certificate of occupancy, or within 15 days after construction operations have ceased, whichever is earlier. No construction sign shall exceed 64 square feet in area. Construction signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from all property lines in residential districts. A permit is required for such signs. . (4) Directional Siqns One private directional sign not exceeding three square feet in area shall be allowed, without permit, at each access drive, providing such sign only directs motorists to the location of off-street parking areas. (5) Inteqral Siqns Individual letters and numerals comprising integral signs shall not exceed 12 inches in height, and the integral sign itself shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, which shall be excluded from the total allowable sign area. (6) Siqns in Professional Service (PS) Districts Identification or directory signs may be permitted in PS districts as follows: (a) (b) (c) (d) Siqn Area - A total sign area of one square foot for each four lineal feet of primary building front- age, up to a maximum of 24 square feet shall be allowed. Location and Heiqht - Signs shall not be located in the front 50 percent of any required front yard, shall be set back at least 15 feet from any adjoin- ing property, and shall not exceed six feet in height. Identification Siqns - Identification signs shall indicate only the building name or the name, address and occupation of the tenant. Illumination - Identification and directory signs may be illuminated during normal office hours. (7) Political Cam?aign Siqns . (a) (b) Residential Districts - Campaign signs shall be allowed without permit in all residential districts under the following conditions: On each residential site, a maximum of two nonilluminated signs, not more than four square feet in area each shall be allowed. Any such sign may only be installed by, or with the express consent of the occupant of the premises. Campaign signs are prohibited on vacant property. Other Districts - Campaign signs may be permitted in all other zoning districts, under the following conditions: On each property, nonilluminated signs, not to exceed 32 square feet in area each, may be erected provided that no sign larger than four - 7 - , . square feet shall be located within 40 feet of any other campaign sign. On each unimproved or unoccu- pied property, the property owner shall be responsi- ble for the placement and removal of campaign signs. On occupied property the tenant shall be respon- sible for the placement and removal of campaign signs. For each sign larger than four square feet in area the individuals or companies constructing and erecting such sign must submit a location sketch indicating the street address and size of the sign proposed for installation in the city. The Planni- ng Director will determine whether the site is lo- cated within an appropriate district. The Building Official will register the location and determine whether a Building Permit is necessary for the erec- tion of the sign. The Building Official shall have the authority to require the removal of any such sign that is not properly maintained or becomes a hazard to the public safety during the time it is displayed. (c) Removal - Campaign signs installed on private pro- perty will be permitted for a period not to extend beyond 48 hours after the campaign issue has been decided. ( d) Campaiqn Headquarters - Registered campaign head- quarters shall be allowed the maximum amount of signage as would be allowed of any other permitted business in the same district. (e) Exclusion from Sign Area Requirements - Signs erected pursuant to this Section shall not be con- sidered as part of the maximum allowable sign area for the premises upon which they are located. (f) Prohibited on Public Property - Campaign signs shall not be placed on public property, and any sign so located shall be removed immediately. (8) Public Signs Governmental information or direction signs, historical markers, signs relating to national defense and security and other emergency signs, and ornamental signs of a permanent character displaying only the name of a commonly known and accepted name of a section of the City, deemed by the City commission to be of a general public interest, may be locat- ed in any zoning district. No permit shall be required for such signs. (9) Real Estate Siqns . Real estate signs with copy on either one or both sides not exceeding four square feet shall be allowed without permit in all zoning districts provided that only one sign may be erected for each street frontage of the parcel of property or unit o[[~Led for sale, lease or rent. No such sign shall exceed four square feet in area in residential districts, 12 'square feet in PS Districts, nor 32 square feet in area in AI, A2, CI, C2, C3, II and I2 districts. Such signs greater than four square feet shall require a permit. MUltiple-listing strips and sold signs may be allowed when attached to a real estate sign. Signs shall be removed after consummation of sale. "Open For Inspection" signs not exceeding four square feet in area may be allowed on property that is open for inspection, but only at such time as a representative different ownership. The top of the sign shall not exceed 22 feet above ground level. Only two signs will be permitted in any one subdivision. Each sign shall be approved for a period - 8 - ) of one year and, upon expiration of such approval, a renewal may be granted by the City commission upon the recommendation of the Development Review Committee. (10) Office Siqns Offices when allowed in PS, C1, C2, or C3 districts shall be allowed, without permit, nameplates and directory signs only, in accordance with the following standards: (a) Single Office - one nameplate or directory sign not to exceed four square feet in area. . (b) Two or Three Offices - one directory sign not to exceed six square feet in area. ( c) Four or More Offices - one directory sign not to exceed eight square feet in area. (11) Public and Ouasi-Public Facilities Siqns Name and information signs and emblems of churches, schools, and other public and quasi-public facilites as defined here- in shall be permitted on the site. Signs shall not be located in the front 50 percent of any required front yard. When located within a residential district only one sign shall be permitted not to exceed 16 square feet in area. If ground mounted, the top of the sign shall be no more than six feet above ground level. (12) Shoppinq Center Siqns (a) Types of Signs Allowed - Center identification/ directory signs may be located on the shopping cen- ter site and shall be limited to the name of the center and the name of the occupants of the center. No other signs shall be located on this sign struc- ture. Individual elements of directory signs shall be of uniform shape and size. (b) Siqn Area - This sign area shall be in addition to the sign area allowed for the individual occupants and shall be based on the gross leasable area (GLA) within the center as follows: GLA Siqn 0-24,999 sq. ft. 30 sq. ft. 25,000-64,999 sq. ft. 50 sq. ft. 65,000 -152,999 sq. ft. 100 sq. ft. 153,000 -386,999 sq. ft. 150 sq. ft. 387,000 sq. ft. or more 200 sq. ft. . Where occupants have no street frontage they shall be allowed two square feet of sign area for each linear foot of primary business site building front- age. (13) Subdivision Development Siqns Signs advertising a subdivision development of residential properties may be permitted providing the subdivision has been approved, platted and is under active development and sale. Such signs shall not exceed 128 square feet in area, including trim. Signs shall not be closer than 15 feet to an official right-of-way line and at least 15 feet from any property under different ownership. The top of the sign shall not exceed 22 feet above ground level. Only two signs will be permitted in anyone subdivision. Each sign shall be - 9 - approved for a period of one year and, upon expiration of such approval, a renewal may be granted by the City Commission upon the recommendation of the Development Review Committee. (14) Subdivision and MultifamilY Identification Siqns (a) Entranceway Siqns - Signs identifying a subdivision or multifamily development may be permitted at each entranceway subject to the following conditions: . (i) Maximum Sign Area Per Face - Eighteen square feet, or two square feet of sign area for each dwelling unit up to nine units (whichever is more restrictive); (ii) Maximum Height of Sign - Six feet above estab- lished lot grade; (iii) Signs shall be located within 30 feet of an entranceway as follows: 1. Wall-mounted, one face on each side of the entranceway, mounted flat against the en- tranceway wall. 2. Ground-mounted, one face or two face back- to-back or V with maximum 45' angle. (iv) Entranceway signs shall be separated from signs at other entranceways by at least 200 feet and from other on-site signs by at least 100 feet, such distance to be measured along the property line. When such signs are locat- ed adjacent to more than one right-of-way, such separation shall be maintained measured along the property line and continuing around the corner. (v) Ground-mounted signs shall not interfere with safe vehicle traffic flow. . (b) On -site Signs - In addition, wall or groundmounted signs may be permitted on the site of a multifamily development providing the total area of these signs does not exceed two square feet in area for each unit up to 16 for a maximum sign area of 32 square feet. Further, such signs shall not be more than six feet in height above established lot grade and signs shall not be located in the front 50 percent of any required front yard. Such signs shall indi- cate only facilities available on the immediate premises. Where a multifamily development is loca- ted on more than one street, one sign may be dis- played on each such street, provided the total sign area does not exceed the maximum allowable as des- cribed herein. (15) Temporary Signs A temporary sign announcing any public, charitable, educational or religious event or function may be permitted, provided that it is located on the premises of the sponsoring insti- tution. Signs shall not exceed 24 square feet in area, if ground mounted shall be no more than 14 days prior to the event and no more than 48 hours after its termination. - 10 - (16) Trailer Signs Trailer signs are prohibited in each and every zoning district in the city. (17) Portable Siqns Portable signs such as sandwich boards and other moveable signs not secured or permanently attached to the ground if permitted must be located at least 15 feet from road rights- of-way. . SECTION 4. SECTION 6 OF CHAPTER II OF THE CODE IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS: The City commission hereby establishes a schedule of fees, charges and expenses, and a collection procedure, for matters pertaining to this ordinance. The schedule of fees shall be posted in the office of the building inspector and may be altered or amended only by the City commission. No action towards processing an application shall be taken until the fee has been paid. Application for the rezoning of land..........$250.00 Petition for interpretation of this ordinance....................... lit............ 25.00 Petition for a variance from this zoning ordinance.............................. 250.00 Petition for a use permitted on review by this ordinance...................... 250.00 Land use permit fee for a mobile home park or subdivision, per space................ 1.00 Sign permit, per square foot.................. e~e5- 0.15 Minimum 3:~ee- 15.00 SECTION 5. SEVERABILITY If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and inde- pendent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion thereto. SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon pass- age and adoption. . - 11 - . . PASSED AND ADOPTED this ht-h day of September , 1988. Advertised Read First Time Read Second Time And Adopted Au~ust 25 August 2 September 6 September 6 , 1988. , 1988. , 1988. , 1988. CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA By: Attest: For use and reliance only by the city of Ocoee, Florida. Approved as to form and legallity this ~ day of ~, 1988. FOLEY , LARDNER, VAN DEN BERG, GAY, BURKE, WILSON' ARKIN :y: ~dt~ COTMV2/D0239 (4) - 12 - :71~ f L Thomas R. Ison, Mayor Clerk (SEAL)