Bradbury Municipal Code Ch. 106 Sign Standards

The purpose of this chapter is to promote the orderly display of signs which are necessary for the identification and transfer of real property within all zones of the City and to provide standards in order to safeguard life, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, illumination, location and maintenance of signs as provided herein.

(Ord. No. 297, § 9.06.050.010, 3-20-2007)

The sign standards provided in this chapter are intended to apply to signs in each zoning district in the City. Only signs authorized by this chapter shall be allowed in that zoning district unless otherwise provided for by this title.

(Ord. No. 297, § 9.06.050.020, 3-20-2007)

Signs in the A-5 zone are regulated by the Bradbury Community Services District and are not subject to the provisions of this chapter. Signs in R-7,500, R-20,000, A-1, and A-2 zones are permitted only as follows:

(1) Permanent property identification sign defined. A sign erected for the purpose of providing identification of a property name or owner or resident is permitted as follows:

a. Either single- or double-faced;

b. Limited to displaying the name of the property owner or the on-site resident, or "nickname" of the property, or permitted commercial tenant holding a valid business license, and the site address and a telephone number.

c. If illuminated, a low voltage light of no more than 15 watts may be used.

d. Unless otherwise authorized, all lots or parcels of land may have one name plate or identification sign, provided that such sign does not exceed five feet in height above the ground at its highest point and does not contain a total area greater than six square feet.

e. Permanent property identification signs installed after the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived and located within any required setback of the property that is adjacent to a public right-of-way are subject to the approval of the Planning Commission for design compatibility (not content) review.

(2) Permanent incidental sign defined. On-premises signs, such as an alarm sign, no trespassing sign, and no soliciting sign are allowed. Not more than three signs shall be allowed per site, and each sign shall not be greater than one square foot in area.

(3) Temporary real estate sign defined. One non-illuminated single- or double-faced sign proclaiming "For Sale," "For Rent," "For Lease" or "Open House" may be placed a minimum of five feet inside the property line, provided that such sign does not exceed five feet in height above the ground at its highest point and shall not be greater than four square feet in area. Such sign shall be removed within 15 days after the completion of the advertised activity. Any real estate sign on a property in the City shall be limited to information regarding the property the sign is located on. Advertisements for other property or business activities constitute off-site advertising and are not permitted.

(4) Temporary construction sign defined. No construction signs are allowed, including signs advertising the general contractor, any subcontractor, trade, or product, except that simple contact information signs and/or potential hazard warning signs that are required by law or insurance requirements, can be installed only when the contractor can provide proof as such of said laws or requirements.

(5) Temporary political sign defined. One non-illuminated single- or double-faced sign advocating for or against an issue or candidate, or otherwise related to an election, that is not greater than six feet in height or six square feet in area provided that such sign may only be placed on the property within the period commencing 60 days prior to an election, and shall be removed within five days after that election.

(6) Prohibited signs. Sign types that are not specifically identified in this section are prohibited, except that the City Manager may find and determine that a sign not specifically addressed herein is sufficiently similar in intent of circumstances to fall within the exemptions specified herein. The City Manager shall make a determination within seven days of the request therefor. If the City Manager denies a request to deem a sign sufficiently similar, the proponent may appeal the denial to the City Council within seven days of notice of the determination. The City Council shall hear the appeal at the next City Council meeting that is at least seven days after the date of filing of the appeal. The decision of the City Council shall be final.

(7) Design guidelines for signs. The Planning Commission may adopt advisory design guidelines for use by the staff and applicants to provide further direction and illustration of appropriate size, height, style, materials and placement of signs.

(Ord. No. 297, § 9.06.050.030, 3-20-2007; Ord. No. 331, § 1(9.06.050.030), 10-15-2013)

Advertising signs affixed to vehicles or trailers that advertise or promote a business that are the primary purpose of the vehicle are hereby prohibited in all zones in the City. This prohibition does not apply to signs permanently affixed to the side of a business or commercial vehicle (e.g., vehicle wraps on a delivery or service vehicle) or to signs required by State or Federal law (e.g., contractor's license number).

(Ord. No. 376, § 2, 5-18-2021)

(a) Maintenance and repair. A nonconforming sign may be continuously maintained and repaired.

(b) Allowable changes. A nonconforming sign shall not be altered or expanded, except that the sign face or sign copy may be changed at any time as long as there is no change to the sign area or height, the angle of the sign, or its situation on the site, and the supporting structure is not removed.

(c) Reconstruction or replacement. A nonconforming on-premises sign that is voluntarily removed or accidentally destroyed shall be replaced only with a sign which conforms with all applicable provisions of this chapter.

(d) Amortization and correction or removal required.

(1) Any sign defined as "permanent" under Section 9.106.030(1) and (2) that was nonconforming at the time of erection, or became nonconforming because of the provisions of this chapter and remains nonconforming, shall be allowed to remain indefinitely except as described in Subsection (c) of this section.

(2) Any sign defined as "temporary" under Section 9.106.030(3), (4) and (5) shall be removed within 30 days of the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived.

(e) Designated historic signs. A sign that has been designated by the City to be historic pursuant to Chapter 55 of this title shall not be considered nonconforming for the purposes of this section.

(Ord. No. 331, § 1(9.06.050.040), 10-15-2013)