Section 6 zoning certificate - outdoor signs

(changes proposed by LASSO are in red type)

If the proposed outdoor sign meets the requirements stated in this section, Planning Staff shall issue a Statement of Finding that the plans for the proposed outdoor sign fully comply with this zoning resolution. This request is then forwarded to the board of county commissioners for consideration at their next meeting.

A. General requirements. The following general requirements are applicable to all signs erected subsequent to the date of adoption of this zoning resolution.

  1. Illumination of a sign is permitted provided no flashing lights, or rotating or revolving beams are used. All external light fixtures illuminating a sign shall be shielded so that light is confined to the surface of the sign and is directed downward and away from public roadways and residential areas.

2. No sign shall revolve or otherwise move in any fashion.

3. Relocation of a sign shall not be permitted as sign permits are granted on a site-specific basis.

4. No motor vehicles or trailers of any kind, except those trailers manufactured with a sign face permanently attached to it specifically for the purpose of being used as a mobile sign, shall be used as a sign.

5. Signs which display an advertising message by means of the systematic blinking of lights or by systematic illumination of characters or symbols are prohibited.

6. Searchlights or aerial laser displays directed into the sky for purposes of advertising are prohibited (this has been removed from this and added to the outdoor lighting regulation proposal instead).

7. Advertising signs lit from within can meet the light output standards in this regulation by complying with the following design guidelines: Interior-lighted advertising signs should be designed so that the logo and lettering are brighter and of lighter color than the background of the sign. The background of the sign should be opaque or dimly lit and darker in color in relation to the lettering and logo and other relevent parts of the advertising message. The lighted background of the sign should not be white, off-white, cream, yellow or other light colors.

The intention of this provision is to encourage the approach where the information on the sign (text and logos) is the more brightly illuminated portion, which leads to better legibility and decreased light outputs.

B. Exempt signs. The following shall be deemed to be excluded from regulation under this resolution:

  1. Real estate signs used exclusively to advertise property for sale or lease and where the sign face shall not exceed 25 square feet in area. Such signs shall be removed in 30 days of the subject property being sold or removed from the market.