HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd #261 - 3rd Ser/Amending the Code Regulation Signs ORDINANCE NO.261 THIRD SERIES
CITY OF ORONO
HENNEPIN COUNTY,MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
REGULATING SIGNS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF ORONO ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Sec. 78-1469 Definitions shall be amended by adding and deleting text to read as
follows:
Grand opening means commencement of operation of a new business. For purposes of the ordinance, a
grand opening is considered to occur if there is a new business,a business name change or change in type of
business or activity.
Incidental sign means any sign that is generally not understandable or readable from property
other than where the sign is located, such as from adjacent property or a public street, as determined by
the city administrator or their designee. Signs may include onsite wayfinding signs, gas pump signs, and
menu boards.
Monument sign means a freestanding sign with its sign face mounted installed on the ground with the sign
copy er mounted on a base and at least as wide as the sign and is less than 16 feet in height.
Portable sign means a temporary sign whose principal supporting structure is intended, by design and
construction,to be used by resting upon the ground for support and may be easily moved or relocated for reuse.
Portable signs include, but are not limited to,A-frame or T-frame signs,sandwich signs,signs mounted on a trailer,
bench,wheeled carrier, or other non-motorized mobile structure with or without wheels.
portable signs include, but arc not limited to:A frame or T frame signs,sandwich signs;signs designedo be
transported by trailer or on wheels;and signs mounted on a vehicle for advertising purposes,except signs
may be a portable sign even if it has wheels removed,was designed without wheels,or is attached to the ground,a
structure,or other sign.
Public Sign Regulatory or Directional Signs means a traffic control sign in Minnesota State Statutes;any
identification sign installed on public property in a public park by a public authority; and any other identification,
regulatory,or warning sign approved by the city council for installation on public or private land.
Sign area means the area in square feet of the single smallest rectangle,circle, or triangle that contains the
sign copy.
SECTION 2. Sec. 78-1475 Exempt signs shall be amended by adding or deleting text to read as
follows:
Sec. 78-1475. Exempt signs.
All signs shall require an approved sign permit prior to placement except for the signs specifically
noted in this section. Exempted signs shall not reduce the permitted signage for a property. These
exemptions shall not relieve the owner of the sign from the responsibility of its maintenance and its
compliance with the provisions of this division or any other law or ordinance regulation the same.
(1) Government Regulatory or Directional signs. All government Regulatory or Directional
signs, including but not limited to traffic control and other regulatory purpose signs, street signs,
identification signs, informational signs,danger signs,and railroad crossing signs.
(2) Non-commercial signs in an election year. Signs of any size containing non-commercial
speech may be posted in any number beginning 46 days before the state primary in a state general election
year until ten days following the general election and 13 weeks prior to any special election until ten days
following the special election provided that the signs are in compliance with Minnesota Statutes.
(3) Address signs. Address identification signs not exceeding four square feet in area for
each structure or portion of a structure with an assigned address. Street identification numbers are
required in all sign districts and should be clearly visible from the street.
(4) Exempt residential signs. Properties in sign district 1 shall be allowed up to eight square
feet of signage provided that a single sign is no larger than six square feet,the signs are not illuminated,
and freestanding signs are at least five feet from any property line.
(5) Portable signs. Portable A-frame,T-frame, sandwich,or other similar signs that do not
exceed six square feet in size, are not illuminated,are located within 15 feet of the primary entrance to a
building, and are displayed only during the hours of business operation.No more than two of these signs
shall be in place at any given time.
(6) Incidental signs. •- • •• . ..• - • . . - . -
(7) Window signs. Window signs that are inside of a building shall not require a permit but
shall be in accordance with section 78-1478, Table 1.
(8) Non-commercial signs.Any sign display or device allowed under this section may
contain any otherwise lawful noncommercial message that does not direct attention to a business operated
for profit,or to a commodity service for sale,and that complies with the size,height, and lighting
requirements of this division.
(9) Change of copy.No permit shall be required to change the text of a sign provided the
sign structure and face is not otherwise enlarged, modified, enhanced or altered in any way.
SECTION 3. Sec. 78-1476 Prohibited signs shall be amended by adding and deleting text to
read as follows:
The following signs shall be prohibited in all sign districts:
(1) Signs with moving,swinging, revolving,or rotating parts.
(2) Freestanding pole signs.
(3) Roof signs.
(4) Projecting signs.
(5) Noncompliant signs.Any sign not constructed,wired,assembled,attached,or supported in
conformance with applicable building or other codes and regulations.
(6) Signs in the right-of-way.Signs in the public right-of-way except as provided for, by Minnesota
Statutes,or allowed by the agency regulating the right-of-way.
(7) Signs attached to public utility poles,trees,street signs,stoplights,or fences.
(8) Permanent outdoor Outdoor advertising signs, including billboards.
(9) Portable signs. Portable signs shall be prohibited, except for portable A-frame,T-frame,sandwich, or
other similar signs that do not exceed six square feet in size.
(10) Signs in the clear vision area.
(11) Signs imitating traffic control signs. Signs that are designed to resemble official traffic signs except signs
which are used to control traffic on private property.
(12) Any sign,sign type,sign lighting,or sign technology not specifically listed as permitted in this division
shall be prohibited.
SECTION 4. Sec. 78-1477 Regulation by sign district shall be amended by adding text to read
as follows:
For the purpose of regulating signs,the following sign districts are adopted:
District Description
1 All residential properties zoned R-1A, R-1B, LR-1A, LR-1B, LR-1C, LR-1C-1,
RR-1A, RR-1B, RR-1B-1, RS, PRD, RPUD
2 M-6,All nonresidential uses located in a residential district,_including, but not limited to
schools, places of worship, neighborhood identification features.
3 B-1, B-2, B-4, B-5, B-6
4 B-3
5 I, PID
SECTION 5. Sec. 78-1478 Permitted sign type, area, height, and illumination by sign district
shall be amended by adding text to read as follows:
All signs shall conform to the applicable standards in Table 1:Sign Standards by Sign District.The following
provisions shall also apply:
(1) Wall Sign. Wall signs shall not extend more than 18 inches from the wall they are attached to.
(2) Monument Signs.
a. No more than one monument sign shall be permitted on any site except in cases where
properties front more than one public street. For properties that front more than one public
street,one additional monument sign may be permitted provided that the additional monument
sign does not exceed half the size of the maximum sign area allowed for a monument sign in the
underlying district.
b. The sign area of a monument sign shall only be calculated using one side of the sign. If the two
sides are different sizes,the larger side shall be used for determining sign area.
c. Monument signs shall be located at least five feet from any property line and shall not project
over the property line. Clear vision shall be maintained from all streets and driveways.
d. The total area of a monument sign shall not exceed 1.5 times the permitted sign copy area of a
monument sign.The total sign area includes all sign copy,graphics, and structure.
(3) Service Area Canopy. Each edge of a The street facing edge or face of a service area canopy is
permitted up to 50 sq ft of sign area in addition to all other sign areas permitted on site. Such street
facing edge or face of a service area canopy service ar a canopy facing a street is permitted 25 square
feet of sign ar a in addition to all other sign area permitted on site Such signage as well as areas
underneath the canopy may be illuminated externally, internally, or backlit, but no other part of the
face of the canopy shall be illuminated.
(4) Awnings and Canopies. No part of an awning or sun canopy shall be less than eight feet or greater than
12 feet above grade.Any sign area on the awning, if illuminated,will be deducted from the permitted
sign area.The fabric or material used for the awning or canopy must be opaque and no internal
illumination is permitted.
(5) Adult Use Signs. In addition to this division, all adult use oriented signs shall comply with the sign
requirements in the Sexually Oriented Business Ordinance.
Table 1: Sign Standards by Sign District
Sign Type District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5
Total Sign area on a parcel shall 1:1 1:1 1:1 1:2.5 5% of
be in proportion to the lot building
frontage on a street, described facade
by the ratio: 1 foot of street
frontage to X feet of sign area,
unless otherwise noted
WALL
Maximum sign copy area — 6 sf 20 sf 60 sf 100 sf 45 sf
single sign
Max Height wall wall wall wall wall
height height height height height
Lighting (a) Not E/I/B E/I/B E/I/B E/I/B
permitted
FREESTANDING
Type (b) M M M M M
Total Maximum sign copy area 6 sf 32 sf 4S 60 sf 45 60 sf 2-8 45 sf
Max Height 8ft. 8ft. 4-2 18 ft. 20 ft. 8 10 ft.
Lighting Not E/I/B E/I/B E/I/B E/I/B
permitted
GRAPHIC
Total Maximum sign area 8 sf 20 sf 60 sf 60 sf 45 sf
Max Height wall wall wall wall wall
height height height height height
Lighting Not E/I/B E/I/B E/I/B E/I/B
permitted
WINDOW
Maximum coverage area Not Not 35% of 35% of 35% of
permitted permitted window window window
area, not arearRet area;Ret
te te to
exceed exceed exceed
5%of 5% of 5% of
uilding g g
facade facade facade
AUXILIARY
Maximum sign copy area per sign 8 sf 8 sf 8 sf 8 sf 8 sf
Wall Height Not 4 ft. 6 ft. 6 ft. 8 ft.
permitted
Freestanding Height 4 ft. 4 ft. 6 ft. 6 ft. 8 ft.
(a) E = external, I = internal, B = backlit
(b) M = monument, P = pole
(c) Single pole support only.
SECTION 6. Sec. 78-1479 Changeable message sign shall be amended by adding text to read
as follows:
No more than 35 percent of the actual sign area of a permitted sign in a non-residential district shall be
capable of displaying changing messages.The remainder of the sign area shall not have the capability to change
messages even if not used.
a. Dynamic display that depicts time,temperature, or fuel prices only shall not be calculated as changeable
copy for the purposes of determining the 35%limit.
SECTION 7. Sec. 78-1481 Temporary on-premise signs,subparagraphs (5) and (6) shall be
amended by adding text and deleting text to read as follows:
(5) Sale, Rent,or Lease or vacant space.
a. Lots.Buildings or parcels Parcels for sale, rent, or lease,or those with space for sale or lease may
obtain a temporary sign permit for one temporary freestanding sign per street
frontage that does not expire until seven days after the parcel is leased or sold. A wall sign shall not
exceed 32 square feet in size and shall be used in place of a permanent wall sign. A freestanding sign
shall not exceed 32 square feet in size. All other provisions in this section 78-1481 shall apply.
b.Space. Buildings with space for sale, rent or lease may obtain a temporary sign that does not expire
until the space is leased or sold, provided that the sign is not-illuminated or greater than 32 square feet
in size.
(6) Residential, commercial, industrial developments. For the purpose of selling or promoting a residential
project, including its architect, engineer,developer,financer,or contractor of six three or more
dwelling units one sign not to exceed 18 square feet;a commercial area three acres or more, or an
industrial area of ten acres or more, one sign not to exceed 9B 48 feet of advertising surface may be
erected upon the project site.Such sign shall not remain after 90 percent of the project is developed.
One sign per street frontage may be permitted.
SECTION 8. Sec. 78-1483 Maintenance and repair shall be amended by adding text and
striking to read as follows:
All signs shall be kept in good repair and free from peeling paint, rust, damaged or rotted support,
framework or other material, broken or missing faces or missing letters.Any structure from which a sign has been
moved or removed shall be repaired with materials and/or painted or stained to match the existing background.
(1) Sign permit not required. Activities not requiring a sign or building permit considered normal
maintenance and repair and not requiring a sign or building permit shall include activities such as
replacing or repairing lamps, ballasts,transformers,trim,sign fasteners, nuts,or washers; painting the
pole or base of freestanding signs;and painting the cabinet of freestanding signs or building signs.
(2) Sign permit required. For any sign that required a permit,the following activities shall not be
considered normal maintenance and repair and a permit shall be required:
a. Removing the sign for the repair of the cabinet or any part thereof.
b. Changes made to a sign's size or illumination, including, but not limited to, height,width,weight,
area,adding or removing illumination.
c. Changes in poles,structural supports, bases or shrouds,footings,or anchor bolts, moving the sign
to a new location, or replacement of the interior or exterior cabinet frame, except the sign face.
(3) Building permit. A building permit may be required for any signs involving the construction of or
changes to a sign structure and/or electrical connections as determined by the building official.
SECTION 9. Sec.78-1373 Gas stations,subparagraph(8)shall be amended by adding and deleting text to
read as follows:
8)Signs. ach motor fuel station may have one pedestal type sign not in excess of 48 square feet nor
more than 22 feet in height, erected within any yard; except that no part of the sign shall be less than six feet
from a property line. No part of the sign surface shall be less than 16 feet vertical distance from the grade of the
n crest driveway or parking areas. Signs shall be as regulated in the Orono Sign Code.
SECTION 10.EFFECTIVE DATE:This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its passage and publication.
ADOPTED this 14th day of June, 2021 on a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays by the City Council of
Orono, Minnesota.
ATTEST:
/
/
/ f if
NIJ2Ci ,
Anna Carlson, City Clerk Dennis Walsh, Mayor
Ordinance published in The Laker Pioneer newspaper the week of , 2021.