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Table of Contents » Title 14 Zoning and Land Use Control » Chapter 4 Signs » § 14-403 General provisions.
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14
Title 14
14-1
Title 14, Chapter 1
14-101
§ 14-101
Mountain City
Title 14 : Zoning and Land Use Control
Chapter 4 : Signs

14-403 : General provisions.

  1. Nonconforming signs. The following regulations related to nonconforming signs are hereby established to the extent allowable under state law.
    1. The utilization of a nonconforming sign and/or sign structure, as defined herein, may continue subject to the conditions and requirements noted below. When the use of a property changes (including but not limited to the redevelopment of the site or a change in the use of the business(es)), the signs on that property must be brought into compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
    2. With the exception of minor repairs and maintenance and alterations allowed pursuant to state law, no alterations to a nonconforming sign/sign structure shall be allowed. Unless otherwise allowed by law, any structural or other substantial improvement to a nonconforming sign is not allowed (except for printing or refinishing the surface of the existing sign face or sign structure so as to maintain the appearance) and therefore shall be deemed an abandonment of the nonconforming status and shall result in the reclassification of such sign as an illegal sign.
    3. Unless contrary to law, if a nonconforming sign is reconstructed as the result of damage for any cause or to correct deterioration/dilapidation to the extent of fifty percent (50%) of its fair market value, said sign shall be permitted to exist in nonconforming locations only to the extent that the surface area for message display be reconstructed in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
  2. Calculations measurement standards. The following principals shall control the computation of sign area and sign height.
    1. Computation of the area of individual signs. The sign area shall be determined by computing the area of the smallest square, rectangle, circle and/or triangle that will encompass the extreme limits of the sign face, including any open areas within the sign face (see definition, "sign area").
    2. Computation of area of multi-faced signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one (1) face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces, except where otherwise provided herein for temporary signs in residential districts.
    3. Computation of height. Sign height is measured from the average level of the grade below the sign to the topmost point of the sign. Average grade shall be the lower of existing grade prior to construction or newly established grade after construction. Any berm, filling, or excavation solely for the purpose of locating the sign, shall be computed as part of the sign height.
    4. Computation of wall signs. Unless specifically stated elsewhere within this chapter, the maximum amount of sign area for wall signs shall be one-third (1/3) of the square footage of the front facade of the building as defined herein.
  3. Design, construction and maintenance of signs. All signs shall be designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with the following standards.
    1. General provisions. All signs shall comply with applicable provisions of the adopted building codes and the state electrical code. Except for banners, flags, pennants, temporary signs and window signs allowed hereunder, all signs shall be constructed of permanent materials that are permanently attached to the ground or a structure. All signs shall be maintained in good structural condition, in compliance with all applicable codes.
    2. Spacing. All permanent freestanding signs on any premises shall be spaced at minimum two hundred foot (200') intervals along each public way that views the premises, unless otherwise provided for by this section.
    3. Sight distance triangle. All entrance signs and freestanding signs located near the corners of any intersection shall be located outside of the sight distance triangle. Such triangle shall be measured at a distance of twenty-five feet (25'), or meet the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Official (AASHTO) standards, whichever is greater, running parallel along each leg of the road or driveway pavement surfaces and connecting them to form a triangular area. This area shall be free of any permanent or temporary signs that may inhibit a clear sight visibility for motorists.
    4. Sign illumination. Unless otherwise provided herein, sign illumination shall only be achieved through the following standards:
      1. A white, steady, stationary light of reasonable intensity that is directed solely at the sign. The light source shall be shielded from adjacent buildings and streets, and shall not be of sufficient brightness to cause glare or other nuisances to adjacent land uses.
      2. Internal illumination shall provide steady, stationary light through translucent materials.
      3. If the sign or sign structure is internally illuminated or back lit by any means, the entire lighted area shall be included within the allowable signage calculation for the site. This standard shall also apply to signs affixed to any portion of a building as an architectural feature, such as, but not limited to, awnings, canopies or roof lines.
      4. All electrical service to ground mounted signs shall be placed underground. Electrical service to other signs shall be concealed from public view.
    5. Setback. All permanent signs shall be set back at least five feet (5') from the street right-of-way, unless in a sight distance triangle or otherwise specified by this chapter. No permanent sign shall be located within a public utility or drainage easement, without written approval from the affected agencies. Temporary signs shall be located at least ten feet (10') from the back of the street curb, edge of pavement or stabilized shoulder, unless a greater distance is required to remove such sign from the street right-of-way or sight distance triangle. No temporary signs shall be permitted within any median which is within a public right-of-way.
    6. Design. The various parts of a sign shall be compatible in design quality. The following materials are considered to be appropriate (but not mandatory) for sign backgrounds, frames, supports, and ornamentation: brick, natural stone, stained split face block, wood and metal panels or a combination thereof.
    7. Landscaping. Landscaping islands or landscaping strips shall be used in conjunction with all freestanding permanent signs, and may utilize shrubs and plants or decorative features such as concrete bases or planter boxes that do not contain copy. Landscaping shall be located to prevent automobiles from hitting the sign structure and to improve the overall visual appearance of the structure. Landscaping shall be maintained throughout the life of the sign. (Ord. #1332, July 2013, as amended by Ord. #1860, Nov. 2023)