§ 17.14

1. Signs are considered to be an essential economic and visual element of any community. They contribute significantly to its visual quality, thus influencing perceptions of that community. In communities where there has been an uncontrolled proliferation of signs, the result has often been clutter, confusion and visual blight to the detriment of that community's image, and to its economic development. However, under proper regulation, signs may be designed and displayed to effectively convey their intended message and to help create a community, which is well-organized and visually appealing.

2. _ It is the intent of this chapter to control proposed and existing signs in the City in order to protect its physical and economic environment, to impiement the policies of the General Plan, and to promote public health, safety and general welfare.

The general objectives and provisions of this chapter are intended to:

• a. Ensure that signs serve primarily to identify an establishment on a site and to | direct persons to various activities and enterprises in order to provide for maximum public convenience;

• b. Ensure that signs are compatible and harmonious with their surroundings and adjacent land uses;

• c. Ensure that signs are expressive of the identity of the individual properties and of the community as a whole;

• d. __ Avoid traffic hazards by minimizing visual competition among signs and by providing clear identification of businesses;

• e. Encourage signs which are well designed and attractive in appearance and provide incentives and latitude for variety, innovation, pleasing design relationships, and spacing; and

• f, Provide criteria for signs to insure the development of a high quality visual environment.

17.14.20 ADMINISTRATION

1. Compliance Required

• a. No person, business, organization or entity of any kind whatsoever shall place, erect, maintain, cause or allow to be placed, erected or maintained any sign or sign structure, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.

• b. Any sign or sign structure, which is being displayed or is being poorly maintained in violation of the provisions of this Title, shall be taken down, removed, or altered to comply with the provisions of this chapter. It shall be the responsibility of the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure or land upon which such sign or sign structure may be found to take down, remove or alter the sign or sign structure to comply with the provisions of this chapter.

CITY OF MARICOPA ZONING ORDINANCE CHAPTER 14 MR aC A CCC A AA CRC

• (2) Where signage is part of a development application requiring City Council review and approval.

5. Interpretations

In all sign applications, where a matter of interpretation arises, the more specific definition or the more rigorous standard shall prevail. Whenever the Planning Director determines that the application of any provision for this chapter is uncertain, the issue shall be referred to the City Council for determination.

6. Appeals

Appeals to decisions regarding signs shall be filed and reviewed pursuant to the provisions of Section 17.2.80 of this Title except that the City Council shall consider appeals of all staff decisions upon receipt of any such appeal.

7. Variances Variances from the requirements of this chapter shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 17.2.60 of this Title. In addition to the findings specified in Section 17.2.60, the following additional findings shall be made prior to approving a variance for signs.

• a. The site has a unique character or features that cause visibility problems, thus causing undue economic burden or business hardship; and

• b. No other proposed signing alternative or design would be feasible or would provide reasonable signage in accordance with this chapter; and

• Cc. The proposed sign does not create a traffic hazard; and

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• d. The proposed sign does not create a visual blight to the community; and

• e. The proposed sign does not adversely affect adjacent properties; and

• f. The proposed sign is in compliance with the provisions of this Title in regard to regulations apart from those imposed by this chapter.

8. Illegal Signs

• a. The following signs and sign structures shall be considered illegal:

  • (1) Unsafe Signs or Sign Structures

A sign or sign structure shall be deemed unsafe if determined by the Building Official to be a danger or to create a potential hazard to the public.

• (2) Abandoned Signs and Sign Structures

A sign or sign structure which, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days or more, does not advertise or identify an ongoing business, business product, or service available on or off the premise where the sign or sign structure is located, shall be deemed abandoned.

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• k, Off-site advertising signs and displays.

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1. Signs or sign structures placed within, on, or over public right-of-way, on public fand, or on utility poles, unless an encroachment permit has been approved for such a sign by the City Engineer.

m. Any sign or sign structure not specifically permitted in this chapter.

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n. _ Any sign that projects more than twelve (12) inches from a building wall.

10. Enforcement It shall be the duty and authority of the Planning Director to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

, The following design criteria shall be used by the Planning Director in order to determine if a proposed sign is consistent with the intent of this chapter. .

1. Identification Major identification signs shall serve primarily to identify the name or type of business or other land use.

2. Architectural Context

Sign design shall harmonize with the architectural design and details of the building it serves, with other signs on the building, with the building's surroundings, and with the business or other activity that the sign identifies. Further, signs shail not cover or obstruct significant architectural elements.

3. Design Elements

The following design elements shall be addressed:

• a. Materials

Creativity in use of materials is encouraged. Durable materiais, which are compatible in appearance with the building supporting or identified by the sign, shall be used.

• b. Colors

Sign colors should harmonize with the building it serves and with adjacent landscaping and buildings.

• Cc. Letter Style

Simple lettering styles should be used for ease of identification. Legibility should take priority over complexity in the design of the sign face.

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permitted sign area is twenty (20) square feet, a double-faced sign may have an area of twenty (20) square feet on each face.

f. Three-Dimensional Signs

If a sign has three (3) or more faces, its sign area shall be considered to be the sum of the areas of each individual face. Thus, ifa sign has four (4) faces and the maximum permitted sign area is twenty (20) square feet, the maximum allowable area for each face is five (5) square feet.

g. V-Shaped Signs

If a sign is "V'"- shaped, with an angle between the two (2) adjoining faces, its sign area shall be the sum of the areas of the two (2) sign faces.

• h. | Separated-Panel Signs

The sign area of separated panel signs (those signs having empty spaces between copy panels) shall be considered to be the entire area encompassed by the sign face, including the empty spaces between panels.

i. Signs Painted on Buildings Any sign painted on a building shall be included in the calculation of the total sign area for the site upon which it is placed.

5. Sign Height Measurement

Free Standing Signs

Sign height for free-standing signs shall mean the greatest vertical distance, between the top of the sign, including any accompanying architectural features of the sign, and the average elevation as measured at the roadbed of the nearest street.

6. Sign Location .

   • a. By District

Signs shall be located in accordance with the provisions for each land use district, type of development, or type of sign, as designated in Table 14.A of . this chapter.

• b. No Off-Site Signs

All signs shall be located on the same premises as the land use or activity identified by the sign, unless the provisions of this chapter expressly permit the off-site location of a sign.

• c. Utility Lines

No sign shall be located closer to overhead utility lines than the distance prescribed by California law, or by the rules duly promulgated by agencies of the State, or by the applicable public utility.

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CITY OF MARICOPA ZONING ORDINANCE

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Table 14.A. of this chapter identifies signs that are permitted in each zone district. In addition to the regulations contained in Table 14.A, all signs must be in conformance with all other provisions of this Title.

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• (7) No sign permit or fee shall be required for temporary political signs.

• (8) Any temporary political sign in violation of this Chapter shall be deemed . anuisance and shall be abated in accordance with Section 17.14.120 (Violations) of this Title and with Section 17.1.50 (General Penalty), of this Title.

4. Residential Real Estate Signs Real estate signs up to a maximum six (6) square feet in area and, if freestanding, a maximum of five (5) feet in height shall not require a sign permit. One (1) real estate sign shall be permitted per street frontage of a lot. Such signs shail be permitted to remain while property is in escrow but shall be removed when the property referred to is no longer for sale, rent, or lease.

• a. _ Riders which provide additional information about the property, such as "Sale Pending, may be attached fo the primary sign or sign post as long as the total sign area does not exceed the maximum area allowed.

• b. Free-standing, on premise, "Open House" signs with a maximum area of three (3) square feet and a maximum height of three (3) feet shall be permitted between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and sundown daily.

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• Cc. Free-standing, off-premise, directional “Open House" signs with a maximum area of three (3) square feet and a maximum height of three (3) feet shall be permitted between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and sundown daily. Prior to placing such a sign on any property, authorization is required from the owner of the property where the sign is to be located.

• d. Flags, pennants and banners used in conjunction with the sale, rental or lease of subdivision tracts shall be permitted only until the initial sale of the tract is

• ' completed.

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5. Model Home Signs On premise signs identifying model home complexes, either building-mounted or free standing, are permitted, provided such signs do not exceed twenty (20) square feet in size. Sign height, placement, and illumination shall comply with the requirements of the zone district in which said sign is located." -

6. On-Site Construction Announcement Signs . On-site construction announcement signs, including names of architect, contractor, etc., up fo a maximum thirty-two (32) square feet in area and, if ftee-standing, not exceeding six (6) feet in height, shall be permitted without a sign permit. No more than three (3) such signs shail be permitted per parcel. Such signs shall be erected after the issuance of the building permits for the subject properties and shall be removed upon issuance of the first occupancy certificate for the project referred to on the sign.

7. Temporary Posters Temporary posters pertaining to future limited-term events, which will be held within thirty (30) days of the placement of such poster, shall be permitted without a sign permit. Such posters may be off-premise. If placed in a window, the poster(s) may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) aggregate of the area of the window in which they are placed.

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. activity available or being conducted at the building, or business where the sign is located, is prohibited.

  - e. Allballoon signs shall be securely anchored and erected in conformance with all applicable building, electrical, sign, and fire codes, subject to approval by the Planning Director. - 

  - f. All hydrogen type balloons shall be prohibited. g. All temporary balloon signs and tie downs shall be constructed of noncondutctive electric material. 

• 17.14.60 FLAGS, PENNANTS AND BANNERS

  4. Flags, pennants and banners are subject to the following provisions:

  • a. Shall apply only to businesses customarily conducted in the open. b. Shail not contain advertising copy. c. Shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in height. d. ‘Shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet in area. e. May be attached to either freestanding or building mounted flagpoles or other supports.

  • f. Shall be restricted to two (2) flags and one (1) flagpole per premise; unless a greater number is approved by the City Council subject to a City Council finding that any additional flags and/or flag poles will be compatible with the architecture and use of surrounding structures and land uses.

  • g. Building-mounted flagpoles shail not extend above the top of the building's roof.

  • h. Free-standing flagpoles shail not be placed within ten (10) feet of any property line.

  • 2. Sign permits shall be approved by the Planning Director for flags, pennants and banners as follows:

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• a. Flags, pennants and banners may be attached to building mounted flagpoles, free-standing flagpoles or other supports.

• b. Shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area. Cc. Shall not extend above the top of a building for building mounted flagpoles or shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in height for free standing flagpoles.

• 3 Flags larger in size and flags on higher freestanding poles than specified in the above section may be approved by the City Council if the City Council determines that the flags and flagpole will be compatible with the architecture and use of surrounding structures.

• 4. All other types of flags, pennants and banners as defined in Chapter 17.1 (Definitions) shall be treated as temporary signs and shall be subject to provisions of Section 17.14.50 (Temporary Signs) of this chapter.

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  2. No minimum frontage or site size is required. 

  3. Signs within the Planned Sign Program shall have one or more common design elements, such as colors, materials, illumination, sign type, sign shape, letter size and letter type. 

• ; 4. The sign program shall specify signs in harmony with the materials, colors, architecture, and other design features of the buildings they identify.

5. The Planning Director may approve a Planned Sign Program upon finding that:

     - a. The signs allowed by the program will not adversely affect other nearby properties. 
   
     - b. It is consistent with the General Plan and the provision of this Title. 
   
     - Cc. It will not constitute the granting of a special privilege nor provide more visibility or exposure than is available to similarly situated properties. 
   

   6. Reviewing Authority a. __ Initial Planned Sign Programs shall be reviewed by the Planning Director.

      • b. Signs, which are consistent with approved Planned Sign Programs, shall be reviewed by the Planning Director.

   • 17.14.90 PUBLIC SAFETY SIGNS

     1. Signs required by law for public safety, or access such as "Exit" or "Fire Escape", shall be a maximum of two (2) square feet or such other size as required by law and shall not require a sign permit.

     2. Signs warning of building, electrical mechanical, or other hazards such as "High Voltage", shall be a maximum of four (4) square feet or such other size as required by law and shall not require a sign permit.

The following kiosks, on-site subdivision and on-site commercial real estate sign may be permitted in any fand use district as follows:

1. The Planning Director shall review and may approve Temporary Sign Permits for temporary on-site subdivision signs for each main street frontage of the subdivision being subdivided. Signs shall be for the identification of the property being subdivided, price information and the developers name, address and telephone number. Said signs shall comply with the following requirements: a. Shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area and fifteen (15) feet in height.

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• b. Shall not exceed three (3) such signs for all such phases of any subdivision and shall not be located on interior streets of the subdivision. Three (3) additional signs per builder may be approved by the Planning Director for each merchant builder for residential developments within planned communities and shall be located within the site boundaries of the planned community.

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• j. Shall be located not less than fifty (50) feet from an intersection unless specifically authorized by the City Engineer.

4. Off-site real estate signs, advertising the location and sale of a residential subdivision on property other than the location of the subject subdivision, may be permitted upon approval by the City Council subject to, at a minimum, the following requirements:

   • a. The applicant shall, prior to any such approval by the City Council, submit to the Planning Department a detailed description of the location, design, materials, colors, copy, size, and height of any such off-site sign(s).

   • b. The size of the sign shall be a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet in area and fifteen (15) feet in height.

   • c. No pennant, flag, banner, streamer or other appurtenance may be affixed to any such sign. ,

   • d. The sign shall be located not fess than fifty (60) feet from an infersection unless specifically authorized by the City Engineer.

   • e. Placement of the sign shall be subject to approval of the owner of the underlying land; i.e. the City Engineer for signs within the public right-of-way and the record owner for ail other sites.

   • f. The sign shall be located not less than three hundred (300) feet from an existing off-site sign or an off-site sign previously approved but not yet erected.

1. Except as otherwise provided in Section 17.2.120 of this Title, or otherwise regulated by State or Federal law, any sign lawfully in use on the effective date of this Title, but made non-conforming thereby, shall.be permitted, as though it were not a nonconforming sign, providing any of the following conditions exist:

   • a. The primary message of the sign relates to the business being conducted on the premises upon which the non-conforming sign is located.

   • b. The size, copy area, or height of the non-conforming sign does not exceed the limits set forth in this Chapter by more than five percent (5%).

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• c. Projection of the non-conforming sign over a public right-of-way does not exceed one (1) foot.

• d. Not more than fifty percent (50%) of the non-conforming sign is destroyed by any means.

• e. The business to which the non-conforming sign applies remains unchanged and under the same ownership.

• f. The non-conforming sign is kept in a state of good repair, both aesthetically and structurally.

Non-conforming signs that do not comply with any one of the above conditions are not exempted under the provision of Section 17.14.110.7 of this chapter and will be subject to the amortization schedule depicted in Section 17.14.110.2 of this chapter.

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nuisance and may be abated by the City as such. Each day such condition continues shall be regarded as a new and separate offense.

3. Ali remedies herein are stated to be cumulative and non-exclusive.

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