Legal Documents of Sweetwater

These conditions are established as a reasonable and impartial method of regulating advertising structures in order to ensure light, air, and open space, to reduce hazards at intersections, and to protect property values of the entire community. The regulations for signs, billboards, and other advertising structures are:

1. Definitions.
   1. "Animated or moving sign." Any sign or part of a sign that changes physical position or light intensity by any movement or rotation, or that gives the visual impression of such movement or rotation.
   2. "Billboard." A sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at a location other than the premises of which the sign is located. It is intended for periodic message rotation and is often sold or leased as advertising space.
   3. "Campaign sign." See "Political sign."
   4. "Canopy sign." A sign that is part of or attached to an awning, canopy, etc., or structural protective cover over a door, window, or outdoor service area.
   5. "Changeable electronic message/changeable copy sign." An electrically activated changeable sign upon which the message changes more than two (2) times in a twenty-four (24) hour period, and except when the message is changed, the message shall remain stationary. For the purposes of this section, any wall sign, ground sign, or pole sign can be a changeable electronic message/changeable copy sign.
   6. "Digital sign." A sign that is digital in nature and uses exclusively liquid-crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED), or similar electronic technology for providing content to the sign or billboard.
   7. "Directional sign." A government owned sign that is located on public property as approved by the board of commissioners, which provides direction to a definable area, business area, or community.
   8. "Electronic message center." An electronic message center (EMC) is a sign that is capable of displaying words, symbols, figures or images that can be electronically changed by remote or automatic means.
   9. "Ground sign and pole sign." Any sign erected on a free-standing frame, pole(s), or post(s) and not attached to any building.
   10. "Mural." A work of art that is historic, community, or site based affixed to or painted on a building wall.
   11. "Nit." A unit of measurement of luminance, or the intensity of visible light, where one (1) nit is equal to one (1) candela per square meter. Nits are used to describe the brightness of computer displays, such as LCD screens.
   12. "One-time event sign." A temporary sign which notifies or advertises an event, such as an election, property sale, merchandise sale, revival, grand opening, yard sale, or other similar short-term, temporary events.
   13. "Pole sign." See "Ground sign and pole sign."
   14. "Political sign." A one-time event sign announcing or supporting political candidates, issues, or subject in connection with any national, state, or local election.
   15. "Projecting sign." A sign attached perpendicular to a building or the wall of a structure and overhanging a sidewalk.
   16. "Sign." Any object, device, display, or structure, or part thereof, situated outdoors, which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct, or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event, or location by any means, including words, letters, figures, design, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images.
   17. "Sign administrator." The city building official or his/her designated agent.
   18. "Sign area." The entire face of a sign, including the advertising surface and any framing, trim, or molding but not including the supporting structure.
   19. "Sign face." The area or display surface used for the message.
   20. "Temporary sign." A one-time event sign designed and intended to be displayed for a short period of time.
   21. "Wall sign." Any sign that is attached to, painted on, or in some other way uses a wall of a building in such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure for the sign. No such sign shall extend above the top edge of a building wall or project more than twelve inches (12") from the wall of the building.
2. General provisions. All signs and billboards erected, replaced, reconstructed, expanded, or relocated on any property within the city shall conform with the provisions of this section.
   1. All signs erected, constructed, or placed in any district shall conform to the adopted building codes and if serviced by electrical power, shall conform to the National Electrical Code. Electrical materials and devices used on such signs shall bear the U.L. Label.
   2. No sign shall be erected or maintained where by reason of its position, wording, illumination, size, shape, or color may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or device.
   3. With the exception of one-time event signs, all signs shall obtain a sign permit from the City of Sweetwater.
   4. With the exception of billboards, no off-premises signs are permitted.
   5. The sign area for all wall and canopy signs shall be measured by drawing an imaginary single, regular geometric shape of a rectangle, circle, or equilateral triangle around the sign. The text and other associated graphics do not have to be physically connected.
   6. The sign area for all pole, ground, projecting, and One-Time Event signs shall be the entire face of the sign, including the advertising surface and any framing, trim, or molding but not including the supporting structures. The area of each sign face shall be counted toward the total allowed sign area. For example, on a two (2) sided sign, both sides shall be counted toward the total allowed sign area.
   7. All signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet (5') from all property lines. Signs shall be placed so as not to restrict sight distance for entering, exiting, or passing vehicles.
   8. Wall, canopy, and projecting signs shall only be permitted on walls facing a public street and/or an on-site parking lot.
   9. Unless provided for elsewhere in this section, animated or moving signs, digital signs, scrolling reader boards, electronic message center signs, and flashing or intermittent illumination of signs are prohibited.
   10. Unless provided for elsewhere in this section, animated or moving signs, digital signs, scrolling reader boards, electronic message center signs, and flashing or intermittent illumination of signs are prohibited.
   11. Unless provided for elsewhere in this section, if a sign is illuminated, it shall be internally illuminated.
   12. When an entity is no longer in operation, the associated sign(s) shall be removed.
   13. Projecting signs erected and overhanging any sidewalk shall be placed at least seven feet, six inches (7'6") above the sidewalk. Such sign may extend over the sidewalk a distance equal to two-thirds (2/3) the width of the sidewalk, but in no case exceeding ten feet (10').
   14. No sign shall be erected or otherwise affixed to any pole, tree, stone, fence, or any other object within the right-of-way of any street. No sign shall be suspended across public streets or any other public places.
3. General agricultural district. In addition to meeting the general provisions of this section, all signs within the A-1 General agricultural district shall conform with the following provisions.
   1. Any activity lawfully conducted on the premises shall be permitted one (1) non-illuminated sign up to two (2) square feet in area.
   2. Uses permitted on review shall be permitted one (1) ground or pole sign up to sixty-four (64) square feet in area with a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed ten feet (10') in height.
   3. Uses permitted on review shall be permitted any number of wall signs. The total square footage allowed for all the wall signs combined shall be based on the length of the wall on which the signs are mounted. The total area of such wall signs shall be one-half (1/2) square feet of sign area per each liner foot of building wall on which the sign(s) is/are mounted.
4. Residential districts. In addition to meeting the general provisions of this section, all signs within the R-1 Low density residential district, the R-2 High density residential district, the R-3 High density downtown residential district, and the TND Traditional neighborhood development district shall conform with the following provisions.
   1. Any activity lawfully conducted on the premises shall be permitted one (1) non-illuminated sign up to two (2) square feet in area.
   2. Uses permitted on review shall be permitted one (1) ground or pole sign up to sixty-four (64) square feet in area with a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed ten feet (10') in height.
   3. Uses permitted on review shall be permitted any number of wall signs. The total square footage allowed for all the wall signs combined shall be based on the length of the wall on which the signs are mounted. The total area of such wall signs shall be one-half (1/2) square feet of sign area per each liner foot of building wall on which the sign(s) is/are mounted.
   4. Residential neighborhoods shall be permitted one (1) non-illuminated ground or pole sign per neighborhood entrance. Such sign may be up to fifty (50) square feet in area with a maximum of twenty-five (25) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed eight feet (8') in height.
   5. If a parcel/lot is also located within the designated Sweetwater Historic District, the advertising standards and guidelines adopted by the historic zoning commission shall also apply.
5. Professional and civic district. In addition to meeting the general provisions of this section, all signs within the P-1 Professional and civic district shall conform with the following provisions.
   1. The same regulations apply to residential uses in the P-1 Professional and civic district as applied in the residential districts as outlined above.
   2. Freestanding entities shall be permitted one (1) ground or pole sign. Such sign may be up to fifty (50) square feet in area with a maximum of twenty-five (25) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed eight feet (8') in height.
   3. Multiple use buildings shall be permitted one (1) ground or pole sign. Such sign may be up to fifty (50) square feet in area with a maximum of twenty-five (25) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed eight (8') in height.
   4. Freestanding entities shall be permitted any number of wall signs and canopy signs. The total square footage allowed for all the signs combined shall be based on the length of the wall on which the signs are mounted. The total area of such signs shall be one (1) square foot of sign area per each linear foot of building wall on which the sign(s) is/are mounted.
   5. Tenants within a multiple use building shall be permitted any number of wall signs, canopy signs, and projecting signs. The total square footage allowed for all the signs combined shall be based on the length of the building wall of the tenant space. The total area of such signs shall be one (1) square foot of sign area per each linear foot of building wall of tenant space upon which the sign(s) is/are mounted.
   6. If a parcel/lot is also located within the designated Sweetwater Historic District, the advertising standards and guidelines adopted by the historic zoning commission shall also apply.
   7. Electronic message center (EMC) signs are permitted provided the following conditions are met:
      1. Such signs are located a minimum of three hundred feet (300') from all agricultural, residential, and traditional neighborhood development districts;
      2. Such signs shall hold a static message for a minimum of sixty (60) seconds; and
      3. The lighting of such signs shall not exceed three thousand (3,000) nits during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset) and one thousand (1,000) nits during dark hours (sunset to sunrise).
6. Central business district. In addition to meeting the general provisions of the section, all signs within the C-2 Central business district shall conform with the following provisions.
   1. Freestanding entities shall be permitted any number of wall signs, canopy signs, or projecting signs. The total square footage allowed for all the signs combined shall be based on the length of the wall on which the signs are mounted. The total area of such signs shall be one (1) square foot of sign area per each linear foot of building wall on which the sign(s) is/are mounted.
   2. Tenants within a multiple use building shall be permitted any number of wall signs, canopy signs, or projecting signs. The total square footage allowed for all the signs combined shall be based on the length of the building wall of the tenant space. The total area of such signs shall be one (1) square foot of sign area per each linear foot of building wall of tenant space upon which the sign(s) is/are mounted.
   3. No ground/pole signs are permitted.
   4. Buildings may be permitted a mural as approved by the historic zoning commission.
   5. If a parcel/lot is also located within the designated Sweetwater Historic District, the advertising standards and guidelines adopted by the historic zoning commission shall also apply.
   6. Electronic message center (EMC) signs are permitted provided the following conditions are met:
      1. Such signs are located a minimum of three hundred feet (300') from all agricultural, residential, and traditional neighborhood development districts;
      2. Such signs shall hold a static message for a minimum of sixty (60) seconds;
      3. The lighting of such signs shall no exceed three thousand (3,000) nits during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset) and one thousand (1,000) nits during dark hours (sunset to sunrise).
7. General commercial district. In addition to meeting the general provisions of this section, all signs within the C-3 General commercial district shall conform with the following provisions.
   1. If fronting on Highway 68, freestanding entities shall be permitted one (1) ground or pole sign. Such sign may be up to four hundred (400) square feet in area with a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed thirty-two feet (32') in height.
   2. If fronting on Highway 68, multiple use buildings shall be permitted one (1) ground or pole sign. Such sign may be up to four hundred (400) square feet in area with a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed thirty-two feet (32') in height.
   3. If not fronting on Highway 68, freestanding entities shall be permitted one (1) ground or pole sign. Such sign may be up to two hundred (200) square feet in area with a maximum of one hundred (100) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed twenty feet (20') in height.
   4. If not fronting on Highway 68, multiple use buildings shall be permitted one (1) ground or pole sign. Such sign may be up to two hundred (200) square feet in area with a maximum of one hundred (100) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed twenty feet (20') in height.
   5. Freestanding entities shall be permitted any number of wall signs and canopy signs. The total square footage allowed for all the signs combined shall be based on the length of the wall on which the signs are mounted. The total area of such signs shall be one (1) square foot of sign area per each linear foot of building wall on which the sign(s) is/are mounted.
   6. Tenants within a multiple use building shall be permitted any number of wall signs, canopy signs, and projecting signs. The total square footage allowed for all the signs combined shall be based on the length of the building wall of the tenant space. The total area of such signs shall be one (1) square foot of sign area per each linear foot of building wall of tenant space upon which the sign(s) is/are mounted.
   7. If a parcel/lot is also located within the designated Sweetwater Historic District, the advertising standards and guidelines adopted by the historic zoning commission shall also apply.
   8. If fronting on Highway 68, flashing or intermittent illumination of signs, including scrolling reader boards, are permitted.
   9. If not fronting on Highway 68, flashing or intermittent illumination of signs, including scrolling reader boards, are prohibited.
   10. If fronting on Highway 68, electronic message center (EMC) signs are permitted provided the following conditions are met:
       1. Such signs shall hold a static message for a minimum of sixty (60) seconds;
       2. The lighting of such signs shall not exceed three thousand (3,000) nits during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset) and one thousand (1,000) nits during dark hours (sunset to sunrise).
   11. If not fronting on Highway 68, electronic message center (EMC) signs are permitted provided the following conditions are met:
       1. Such signs are located a minimum of three hundred feet (300') from all agricultural, residential, and traditional neighborhood development districts;
       2. Such signs shall hold a static message for a minimum of sixty (60) seconds; and
       3. The lighting of such signs shall not exceed three thousand (3,000) nits during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset) and one thousand (1,000) nits during dark hours (sunset to sunrise).
8. Local general commercial district. In addition to meeting the general provisions of this section, all signs within the C-4 Local general commercial district shall conform with the following provisions.
   1. Freestanding entities shall be permitted one (1) ground or pole sign. Such sign may be up to fifty (50) square feet in area with a maximum of twenty-five (25) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed eight feet (8') in height.
   2. Multiple use buildings shall be permitted one (1) ground or pole sign. Such sign may be up to fifty (50) square feet in area with a maximum of twenty-five (25) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed eight feet (8') in height.
   3. Freestanding entities shall be permitted any number of wall signs and canopy signs. The total square footage allowed for all the signs combined shall be based on the length of the wall on which the signs are mounted. The total area of such signs shall be one (1) square foot of sign area per each linear foot of building wall on which the sign(s) is/are mounted.
   4. Tenants within a multiple use building shall be permitted any number of wall signs, canopy signs, and projecting signs. The total square footage allowed for all the signs combined shall be based on the length of the building wall of the tenant space. The total area of such signs shall be one (1) square foot of sign area per each linear foot of building wall of tenant space upon which the sign(s) is/are mounted.
   5. If a parcel/lot is also located within the designated Sweetwater Historic District, the advertising standards and guidelines adopted by the historic zoning commission shall also apply.
9. Interstate/interchange district. In addition to meeting the general provisions of this section, all signs within the C-5 Interstate/interchange district shall conform with the following provisions.
   1. Freestanding entities shall be permitted one (1) ground or pole sign. Such sign may be up to four hundred (400) square feet in area with a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed sixty feet (60') in height above adjacent road grade.
   2. Multiple use buildings shall be permitted one (1) ground or pole sign. Such sign may be up to four hundred (400) square feet in area with a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed sixty feet (60') in height above adjacent road grade.
   3. Freestanding entities shall be permitted any number of wall signs and canopy signs. The total square footage allowed for all the signs combined shall be based on the length of the wall on which the signs are mounted. The total area of such signs shall be one (1) square foot of sign area per each linear foot of building wall on which the sign(s) is/are mounted.
   4. Tenants within a multiple use building shall be permitted any number of wall signs, canopy signs, and projecting signs. The total square footage allowed for all the signs combined shall be based on the length of the building wall of the tenant space. The total area of such signs shall be one (1) square foot of sign area per each linear foot of building wall of tenant space upon which the sign(s) is/are mounted.
   5. Flashing or intermittent illumination of signs, including scrolling reader boards, are permitted.
   6. Electronic message center (EMC) signs are permitted provided the following conditions are met:
      1. Such signs shall hold a static for a minimum of sixty (60) seconds; and
      2. The lighting of such signs shall not exceed three thousand (3,000) nits during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset) and one thousand (1,000) nits during dark hours (sunset to sunrise).
10. Industrial zoning districts. In addition to meeting the general provisions of this section, all signs within the M-1 Industrial zoning district and the M-2 Heavy industrial district shall conform with the following provisions.
    1. Entities shall be permitted one (1) ground or pole sign. Such sign may be up to two hundred (200) square feet in area with a maximum of one hundred (100) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed twenty-five feet (25') in height.
    2. Entities shall be permitted one (1) sign per driveway entering the premises. Such sign(s) may be up to four (4) square feet in area with a maximum of two (2) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed three feet (3') in height.
    3. Buildings shall be permitted any number of wall signs. The total square footage allowed for all the wall signs combined shall be based on the length of the wall on which the signs are mounted. The total area of such signs shall be one (1) square foot of sign area per each linear foot of building wall on which the sign(s) is/are mounted.
    4. Industrial parks shall be permitted one (1) ground or pole sign per industrial park entrance. Such sign may be up to four hundred (400) square feet in area with a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet per sign face and shall not exceed thirty-two feet (32') in height.
    5. If a parcel/lot is also located within the designated Sweetwater Historic District, the advertising standards and guidelines adopted by the historic zoning commission shall also apply.
11. One-time event signs. In addition to meeting the general provisions of this section, all one-time event signs shall conform with the following provisions.
    1. One-time event signs are permitted in all zoning districts, on developed land, and on vacant land.
    2. Such signs shall be a maximum of sixty-four (64) square feet with a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet per sign face shall not exceed six feet (6') in height, shall be non-illuminated, and shall be affixed to the ground or a building. Within the C-2 Central business district, such signs shall be affixed to a building.
    3. For purposes of this section, political and campaign signs shall be considered one (1) time event signs. Prior to sixty (60) days before the first day early voting begins until the first day after voting ends, no ordinances of the City of Sweetwater shall regulate. the shape or quantity of political or campaign posters or signs placed on private property that is located more than one hundred feet (100') from a polling place if the signs or posters are placed on the property by the owner of the property or any lawful resident of a residence on the property, but any political or campaign poster or sign on commercial property may not exceed thirty-two square feet (32 sq. ft.) in size; and any political or campaign poster or sign on residential property may not exceed sixteen square feet (16 sq. ft.) in size.
    4. One-time event signs shall be removed promptly after the completion of the event.
12. Billboards. In addition to meeting the general provisions of this section, all billboards shall conform with the following provisions.
    1. Billboards existing at the time of the adoption of this section and located within the A-1 Agricultural district, the C-2 Central business district, and the C-3 General commercial district shall be considered permitted and allowed uses. Such billboards shall not be permitted to increase in size, width, or height, change locations on the premises, or add changing sign faces. Such billboards shall also not be permitted to add flashing or intermittent illumination, including scrolling reader boards. An inventory of these sixteen (16) existing billboards in included in Ordinance Attachments A, B, and C.
    2. Billboards are permitted within the C-5 Interstate/Interchange District. Billboards shall not exceed one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet with a maximum of six hundred (600) square feet in area per sign face. A billboard shall have a maximum of two (2) parallel sign faces.
    3. Billboards shall not exceed sixty feet (60') in height above adjacent road grade, shall not exceed fifty feet (50') in length, and the bottom of the billboard shall be a minimum of ten feet (10') above the adjacent ground level.
    4. No billboard shall be erected within a five hundred-foot (500') radius, determined by a straight line and not street distance, from any other billboard.
    5. Billboards shall meet the minimum building setbacks of the zoning district.
    6. Flashing or intermittent illumination and changing sign faces of billboards, including scrolling reader boards, are prohibited. Billboards may be internally or externally illuminated, however, such lighting shall not shine or glare directly onto adjacent properties, rights-of-way, access easements, or driveways. For the purposes of this section, "glare" shall be defined as any brightness within the field of vision of such a character as to cause annoyance, discomfort, interference with vision, or loss in visual performance and visibility.
13. In the historic zoning district, the following regulations shall apply:
    1. Advertising messages serve to promote business and therefore should be compatible with the business type or service being promoted.
    2. Advertising of all kinds should be compatible with the style and historic period of the building, as well as the business.
    3. Signs and other forms of advertising must relate to, rather than obscure, clutter or disrupt historical and architectural design features of the buildings or parts of buildings to which they are attached or applied.
    4. The installation of advertising materials must not physically or irreversibly alter or damage buildings or part of buildings.
    5. Advertising designs and techniques should reflect the rich diversity of style and the continuum of history seen in Sweetwater's street scape. Originality, creativity, and diversification should be encouraged.
    6. While satisfying the legitimate needs of commerce, advertising should not clutter the street scape nor interfere with the views of buildings or other signs.
    7. Portable signs, sample products, and services offered outside a building must not obstruct the safe and orderly passage of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
    8. All advertising messages and signs must conform to the ordinance comprising this section,² of the Sweetwater Municipal Code, unless specified otherwise in the Standards and Guidelines of the Historic Zoning Commission.
       1. Size, placement, and number of signs.
          1. The size and position of each sign must relate well to the size of the building and the scale of its individual features including but not necessarily limited to openings for windows and doors, wall panels, cornices and other ornaments, and columns and other support structures. Even through a proposed sign may be consistent with other size requirements in these guidelines, the commission reserves the right to deny approval of any sign which, in the judgment of a majority of the commissioners in any duly convened meeting, is too large for the particular related building, building feature, or adjacent building.
          2. The size and position of each sign must be appropriate for reasonable legibility (assuming normal visual acuity) relative to the position and/or movement of the intended viewer.
          3. In business zones, building-mounted signs shall not exceed one (1) square foot per lineal foot of store front. Free standing signs shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet. Projecting signs shall not project more than four feet zero inches (4'-0") from face of building.
          4. In residential zones, one (1) sign not exceeding eight (8) square feet per face in area shall be permitted for each building in which a business or office is also located. If there is more than one (1) business at any location, the total area per face for all signs or for a composite sign is not to exceed ten (10) square feet.
          5. The lowest part of any projecting or freestanding sign can be no lower than seven feet six inches (7' 6") above a walkway or ten feet zero inches (10'-0") above a driveway or alley. The highest part of any projecting sign can be no higher than the top of the highest opening in the wall on which the sign is to be mounted. The highest part of any sign can be no higher than the top of the highest opening on the ground floor of the related building, but in no case higher than fourteen feet zero inches (14'-0").
          6. A maximum of one (1) sign shall be permitted in each display area, with the exception of a historical detailed painted side wall building sign. In no event will a sign be permitted to cover a total of more than fifty percent (50%) of any one (1) display window, in which case no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the window can be covered.
          7. A maximum of two (2) signs shall be permitted per primary public entrance. If more than two (2) tenants use the same public entrance, a composite sign shall be permitted for proper listing and identification of the tenants or occupants.
          8. The historic zoning commission reserves the right to limit the total number of signs on any particular building as necessary consistent with the proper presentation of historic and architectural features.
          9. Duplicated signs or signs with duplicated messages shall not be permitted unless needed for specific purposes such as the identification of more than one (1) entrance, display window, or elevation of the same business or building, or to achieve balance on a single building elevation.
          10. Free standing and projecting, or portable signs painted or decorated on two (2) or more sides are not considered duplicates unless two (2) faces are simultaneously visible from any one (1) position of the viewer.
          11. The cluttering of individual signs is to be discouraged. A single contiguous sign containing two (2) or more distinctly different messages shall be considered as two (2) or more signs. The historic zoning commission reserves the right to limit the number of words used in any particular sign.
          12. Portable signs must not obstruct the safe and orderly movement of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Signs may be brought out at opening of business and must be taken in at close of business.
          13. Obsolete signs shall be removed as soon as they become obsolete unless specifically designated by the historic zoning commission as contributing to the character of the particular property or of the historic zone, in such case they shall be retained and preserved consistent with the corresponding guidelines.
       2. Lettering, accessories, and colors.
          1. Historic spelling, lettering, fonts, and wording must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by the historic zoning commission.
          2. The historic zoning commission will not approve words that are misspelled for commercial purposes.
          3. The historic zoning commission will not approve words in any duly convened meeting, misrepresent the business, are misleading, or are offensive to significant numbers of people in the general population.
          4. Sign accessories are considered parts of signs and must be approved by the historic zoning commission.
          5. Sign accessories may be included in the overall size of the sign for purposes of calculating the size of a sign, as well as the visual impact of the sign on adjacent structures and the surrounding neighborhood.
          6. Any sign accessories symbolizing history must be consistent with the documented authentic history of Sweetwater.
          7. Colors should be compatible with the period or style related to the building.
          8. Florescent or day-glow paints and colors will not be approved for use in a historic zone.
       3. Materials, mounting and quality.
          1. Materials selected for the construction of signs must be compatible with the building materials to which a sign is to be attached.
          2. Sign construction materials exposed to public view must be visually consistent with the style and historic period of the related building.
          3. The sign construction materials selected should also enhance both the purpose and the message of the particular business or service.
             1. Compositional boards (MDF) are acceptable when completely covered with paint which substantially hides the identity of the material. No particle board will be allowed.
             2. Decal letters which have the appearance of painted letters are permitted.
             3. Exterior grade plywood is permitted, but for older buildings its edges must always be covered with framing material so as to hide laminations.
             4. Plastics may be approved when the use is compatible with the period and appearance of the building on which it is used.
             5. Unpainted aluminum shall not be permitted.
             6. Other materials such as, but not necessarily limited to, copper, brass, bronze, may be approved for use on buildings built during a period in which such materials were in common use or on buildings showing dominant architectural features of the period in which such materials were in common use.
          4. Materials must always be of sufficiently high quality to be durable for the anticipated life of the sign. The historic zoning commission reserves the right to terminate approval of any deteriorating sign and require its removal.
          5. A sign must always be erected in such a way that there is no danger of it falling under ordinary circumstances.
          6. Consistent with requirements of safety, stability, and strength, flat signs and projecting signs must be attached to a building with a minimum number of fasteners inserted with the least amount of damage possible to building materials.
          7. On masonry surfaces, all penetrating points of attachment must be in mortar joints. No drilling, chipping, hammering, or penetrating of bricks, terra cotta or stone shall be permitted.
          8. The mounting of signs on ornamental architectural masonry, metal, or wood or on metal roofing materials shall not be permitted.
          9. Mounting materials must not be subject to rust or corrosion, which may over time, damage or deface any part of the building. The historic zoning commission reserves the right to terminate approval of any sign constructed of, or mounted with materials found to be damaging the building or staining or defacing the building. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to the destructive effects of the expansion of rusting iron imbedded in building materials.
          10. All signs must be of professional quality. The historic zoning commission reserves the right to rescind approval of any sign within sixty (60) days of its installation, if in the judgment of the majority of the commissioners; the sign does not meet the acceptable professional standards of quality. This is not intended to discourage individual artwork and careful craftsmanship on the part of people who do not necessarily make a living building signs.
       4. Lighting.
          1. In most locations in downtown Sweetwater signs are well lit by street lights and individual sign illumination is unnecessary and shall not be approved.
          2. External illumination may be approved when natural or street lighting does not provide sufficient light for reading a sign.
          3. Internally illuminated signs shall not be permitted even for modern building in the H-1 Zone.
          4. The effect of any sign illumination on adjacent or neighboring buildings must be carefully considered prior to approval by the historic zoning commission.
14. Approval. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect any sign requiring a permit without first complying with all the following requirements, unless hereafter accepted.
    1. Completion of the sign permit application.
    2. Site plan approval from the planning commission if part of a general site plan.
    3. Approval of the sign administrator.
    4. Issuance of a sign permit shall be kept on display on the premises.
    5. A sign permit shall become expired if erection is not commenced within one hundred eighty (180) days of issuance.
15. Fees. In order to recoup the administrative costs associated with the processing, approval and issuance of a sign permit and inspecting the signs permitted under this section, except for pole signs, a minimum fee in the amount of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each permit shall be paid to the city for each sign up to twenty-five (25) square feet in area and one dollar ($1.00) for each additional square foot for each permit issued.
    1. Fees will be waived for non-profit civic organizations.
16. If any application for a building permit to erect a sign does not fall within the standards and limitations set out herein, then and in that event the application must be reviewed by the board of zoning appeals as a special exception. (1982 Code, § 11-409, as amended by Ord. #____, Aug. 1982, and Ord. #610, March 1988, and replaced by Ord. #888, Nov. 2012, and amended by Ord. #968, Oct. 2018 Ch7_02-07-22, Ord. #977, March 2020 Ch7_02-07-22, and Ord. #1025, Oct. 2023 Ch8_08-05-24)