HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter_52 Signs
Title 18
Chapter 52
SIGNS
Sections:
18.52.010 Intent and Purposes
18.52.020 Sign Permit Requirements
18.52.030 Prohibited Signs
18.52.040 Permitted Temporary and Special Event Signs
18.52.050 Signs Exempt from Permit Requirements
18.52.060 Signs Permitted upon the Issuance of a Sign Permit
18.52.070 Comprehensive Sign Plan
18.52.080 Multi~tenant Complexes with Less than 100,000 Square Feet of Ground
Floor Area
18.52.090 Multi-tenant Complexes with More than 100,000 Square Feet of Ground
Floor Area
18.52.100 Indoor Shopping Mall Complexes with More than 100,000 Square Feet of
Ground Floor
18.52.110 Illumination
18.52.120 Street Vision Triangles
18.52.130 Required Address Signs
18.52.140 Billboards and Other Off-premise Signs
18.52.150 Signs Erected in Conjunction with Nonprofit Activities on Public Property
18.52.160 Historic or Culturally Significant Signs
18.52.170 Application
18.52.180 Maintenance of Permitted Signs
18.52.190 Nonconforming Signs
18.52.010 Intent and Purposes
It is the intent and purpose of this chapter to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the
residents and visitors of the City of Bozeman by regulating and controlling the size, location, type,
quality of materials, height, maintenance, and construction of all signs and sign structures not
located within a building for the following reasons:
A. To preserve the Bozeman area's natural scenic beauty;
B. To contribute to inviting entrances into Bozeman by eliminating clutter associated,
in part, with the unrestricted proliferation of signs, lights, and stringed devices;
C. To encourage area beautification through creative, interrelated design of signage,
landscaping, buildings, access, and parking that enhances the community's built
and natural environment;
D. To give all businesses an equal opportunity to have a sign that will help people find
the services they need; and
E. To ensure that pedestrians and motorists are protected from damage or injury
caused or partly attributable to the distractions and obstructions which are caused
by improperly situated signs. The City Commission intends to provide a reasonable
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balance between the right of an individual to identify their business and the right of
the public to be protected from the visual discord that results from the unrestricted
proliferation of signs. Sections 18.28.070 and 18.30.080 establish certain
exemptions and alternative procedures utilizing design review. The deliberations
and decisions of the design review shall be directed to accomplish the intent and
purpose of this section. It is determined that the regulations contained herein are
the minimum necessary to further the interests of this title. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.020 Sign Permit Requirements
If a sign requiring a permit under the provision of this chapter is to be placed, constructed,
erected, or modified on a zone lot, the owner of the lot shall secure a sign and building permit
prior to the construction, placement, erection, or modification of such a sign. Furthermore, the
property owner shall maintain in force, at all times, a permit for such sign. No permit of any kind
shall be issued for an existing sign or proposed sign unless such sign is consistent with the
requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.030 Prohibited Signs
All signs not expressly permitted under this chapter or exempt from regulation are prohibited
in the city, Such signs include, but are not limited to:
A. Portable signs (except as allowed under Title 12, Chapter 22);
B. Roof signs;
C. Revolving signs;
D. Beacons, spot lights;
E. Flashing, blinking, or animated signs, electronic messaging signs except for time
and temperature or incidental signs as defined in Chapter 18.80;
F. Pennants, streamers, wind socks, pinwheels, or similar items;
G. Stringed flags;
H. Inflatable signs and tethered balloons (except as permitted per S 18.52.040); and
I. Signs located in public rights-of-way (except for those permitted in SS 18.52.050.C
and 18.52,060,D.4). (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.040 Permitted Temporary and Special Event Signs
Temporary and special event signs, such as banners, tethered balloons and inflatable signs,
but excluding those subject to S 18.52.050, shall be allowed only as follows:
A. Special event signs are permitted in the zones described in SS 18.52.060.A and
18.52.060.B.
B. Applicants for temporary signs shall apply for, and have approved, a temporary sign
permit
C. All temporary signs shall comply with size, height, and location requirements of this
chapter.
D. For special commercial events, temporary signs shall be displayed for a consecutive
period not to exceed fifteen days, for a maximum of thirty days per calendar year,
from January 1 to December 31. There shall be a period of at least seven days
between each fifteen day display period.
E. Grand opening temporary signs may be may be displayed for an period not to
exceed 60 days, additional temporary signs shall not be allowed until the next
calendar year. Only one grand opening temporary shall be permitted for the life of
the business. A subsequent grand opening banner may be permitted when
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business ownership has transferred to another owner, or when the business moves
to a new location on a different zone lot.
F. Temporary signs that identify a new business may be displayed until the business
erects a permanent sign, only if the business is in the process of obtaining a
permanent sign, or 60 days, whichever comes first. If the business has had a
temporary sign in this instance, the business will be allowed 30 more days of
temporary signage, but not a grand opening temporary sign.
G. Itinerant vendors shall receive information about allowable temporary signs at the
time they apply for a business license, but no permit is required if the itinerant
vendor is operating less than 7 days.
H. Temporary signs that are seasonal in nature, such as garden greenhouses, boat
showrooms, or ski rental, may apply for a long term temporary sign which may be
approved for a period not to exceed 180 days.
I. Businesses may promote events in the community, such as the County Fair or
Sweet Pea, by applying for and receiving a temporary sign permit for their location.
When notice of the event and non-sponsorship related information occupies more
than 75 percent of the banner area, such a temporary sign will not count in their
temporary and special event signage limit of 30 days a year. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.050 Signs Exempt from Permit Requirements
The following signs shall be exempt from the permitting requirement but must comply with
the criteria for signs allowed by this section:
A. Residential Zones ( R-S, R-1, R-2, R~3, R-4, and RMH)
1. Temporary, non-illuminated, real estate sale, political campaign, and other
noncommercial speech signs that do not exceed 9 square feet in total area
and, if freestanding, 5 feet in height. No more than one such sign per
street frontage.
2. Businesses working at a residentially zoned lot, such as landscapers or
window treatment installers, may post an identifying sign only when they
are physically at the residence, and the sign shall be removed immediately
when the working party leaves the property, Such sign shall not exceed 9
square feet in total area and, if free standing, shall not exceed five feet in
height. Not more than one such sign per street frontage per lot is allowed.
B. Commercial and Manufacturing Zones (R-O, B-1, B-2, B-3, M-1, M-2, BP, PLI, and
HMU)
1. Window signs painted on the window or physically affixed to the interior of
a window, provided that such signs do not occupy more than 25 percent of
the area of the window in which it is displayed. If it exceeds 25 percent of
the area of the window, it will be classified as a wall sign.
2. Signs within a structure or building or other enclosed area of property when
such signs are not legible when viewed from outside the structure or
property.
3. Temporary non-illuminated, real estate sale, for rent or lease, political
campaign, or noncommercial speech signs shall not exceed 32 square feet
in size, shall be no more than 5 feet high, and shall be at least 5 feet from
the property line. Only one sign of each candidate or other type and
subject per street frontage per lot is allowed.
4. Political signs may be erected 60 days prior to the scheduled date of the
primary election and must be removed not later than 7 days after the
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candidate is unsuccessful, withdraws, or the general election is held,
whichever comes first.
5. Development and Construction Signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in
size, shall be no more than 5 feet high and shall be at least 5 feet from the
property line. All parties to the development, including but not limited to,
banks, architects, contractors, developers, future occupants of the lot, real
estate agent, or landscape company shall be on a single sign per street
frontage per lot.
6. Four on-premises directional signs, not exceeding 4 square feet in area
and 5 feet in height and which shall not contain any commercial messages.
C. All Zones
1. Government and Public Utility Signs. Directional, warning, street, building
identification, traffic control, informational, or temporary special event signs
that are erected, installed, or placed by or on behalf of any federal, state,
county, or city government. Public utility signs showing locations of
underground facilities or public telephones and safety signs on
construction sites are included within this exemption.
2. Incidental Signs. A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose
secondary to the use of the zone lot on which it is located, such as "no
parking," "entrance," "loading only," and other similar directives. No sign
with a commercial message, which is designed with the intent to be legible
from a position off the zone lot on which the sign is located, shall be
considered incidental. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.060 Signs Permitted upon the Issuance of a Sign Permit
The following on~premise signs are permitted in the indicated zones subject to a sign permit:
A. Commercial, Manufacturing, and Public Land Zones ( B-2, B-3, M~1, M-2, BP, PLI,
and HMU). A lot in a B-2 district is permitted total signage not to exceed 400 square
feet. The maximum allowable total signage in the other districts listed herein shall
not exceed 250 square feet per lot. A comprehensive sign plan is required for all
commercial centers consisting of two or more tenant spaces on a lot and shall be
designed in accordance with S 18.52.070.
1. Freestanding Signs, One freestanding sign is permitted per zoned lot. The
maximum area for a freestanding sign shall be 32 square feet. A low
profile freestanding sign shall be set back a minimum of 5 feet with a
maximum height of 5 feet. A pole~style freestanding sign shall be set back
a minimum of 15 feet with a maximum height of 13 feet. The pole-style
sign will maintain at least an 8.foot minimum vertical clearance from the
ground.
2. Wall Signs. Wall signs are not to exceed a total signage allowance of 1.5
square feet per linear foot of building frontage minus any area devoted to
freestanding or projecting signs. Canopy, window, and awning signs shall
be classified as wall signs. Wall signs shall not project above the top of a
wall or parapet. Lots fronting on two or more streets shall be permitted an
additional 35 percent of the already permitted wall sign area for each
subsequent building frontage.
3. Projecting Signs. One projecting sign per tenant. Projecting signs shall
not exceed 8 square feet in area nor extend more than 4 feet from the
building. Projecting signs shall provide a minimum sidewalk clearance of
8 feet.
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B. Business and Office Zones (B-1, R-O). The maximum allowable total signage for
a lot shall not exceed 80 square feet in a B~ 1 district and 32 square feet in a R-O
district. A comprehensive sign plan is required for all commercial centers consisting
of two or more tenant spaces on a lot. Such plans shall be designed in accordance
with this section.
1. Low Profile Freestanding Signs. One low profile sign not to exceed 32
square feet in area in the BM 1 district and 12 square feet in area in the R-O
district. I n both the B-1 and the R-O districts, the low profile sign shall have
a minimum setback of 5 feet and a maximum height of 5 feet. Pole-style
freestanding signs are not permitted in the B-1 and R-O zones.
2. Wall Signs. Wall signs in the B-1 district are not to exceed a total signage
allowance of 1 square foot per linear foot of building frontage minus any
area devoted to freestanding or projecting signs. Wall signs in the RMO
district are not to exceed a total signage allowance of 0.5 of a square foot
per linear foot of building frontage minus any area devoted to freestanding
and/or projecting signs. Canopy, window, and awning signs shall be
classified as wall signs. Wall signs shall not project above the top of a wall
or parapet Lots fronting on two or more streets shall be permitted an
additional 35 percent of the already permitted wall sign area for each
subsequent building frontage.
3. Projecting Signs. One projecting sign per tenant. Projecting signs shall
not exceed 8 square feet in area nor extend more than 4 feet from the
building. Projecting signs shall provide a minimum sidewalk clearance of
8 feet.
C. Residential Zones (R-S, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and RMH)
1. Subdivision Identification Signs. For residential subdivisions consisting of
more than four residential units, one low profile, freestanding,
neighborhood identification sign per development entrance is allowed.
Each sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in area or 5 feet in height from
the finished grade. The sign must be setback at least 5 feet from the
property line.
2. Residential Building Identification Signs. For properties used for
multi-household residential buildings, one residential identification wall sign
per street frontage. Each sign shall not exceed 8 square feet in area.
3. Signs Appurtenant To Residential Principal and Conditional Uses and
Home Occupations
a. Principal residential uses and home occupations shall be
permitted commercial message signage not to exceed 4 square
feet in area and shall not be located in any required setback area.
In addition, home occupations shall be permitted 1 square foot
signs on a mailbox or lamp post or 1.5 square feet of freestanding
signage located a minimum of 5 feet from the property line.
b. Principal residential uses shall be permitted noncommercial
speech signs which do not exceed 30 square feet in area nor 5
feet in height. Such sign(s) must be setback at least 15 feet from
the property line.
c. Conditional nonresidential type uses, such as churches,
veterinary uses, golf courses, day care centers, and schools shall
be permitted signage as if the underlying zoning were B-1.
Conditional residential type uses such as bed and breakfast
homes and fraternity and sorority houses, shall be permitted
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signage as if the underlying zoning were R-O. Such signs may
only be illuminated during the hours of operation.
4. Planned Unit Developments. Commercial establishments within planned
unit developments where the underlying zoning is residential shall be
permitted signage as if the lot were in a B-1 zone.
D. Special Districts And Zones. The guidelines for the underlying zoning districts apply
unless otherwise addressed below:
1. Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District. Within this district, all
signage is subject to issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness. If the
applicant is not requesting sign deviations, the sign application will be
reviewed by ADR staff. If the applicant is requesting deviations, the sign
application shall be subject to review by the Design Review Board and the
City Commission.
2, Entryway Overlay District. Signage may exceed the underlying zoning
district limitations by up to 20 percent upon review and approval of a
deviation by the City Commission, upon the recommendation of the Design
Review Board, and upon receipt of a Certificate of Appropriateness.
3. Interchange Zone. Signage may exceed the maximum total sign area,
permitted by S 18.52.060, by up to 25 percent upon review and approval
of a deviation by the City Commission, upon the recommendation of the
appropriate design review advisory body, and upon receipt of a Certificate
of Appropriateness. Each lot shall be permitted one freestanding sign.
a. Low Profile Signs. One low profile sign per zoned lot. The
maximum area for a low profile sign shall be 40 square feet. The
sign shall be setback a minimum of 5 feet with a maximum height
of 8 feet.
b. Pole-Style Signs. A pole-style freestanding sign shall be set back
a minimum of 15 feet and will maintain at least an 8-foot minimum
vertical clearance. Pole-style signs shall not exceed a total area
of 40 square feet or 16 feet in height, provided however, that for
every 2 feet said sign is set back from 15 feet beyond the street
right-of-way, the height measured at grade may be increased 1
foot, not to exceed a total of 32 feet, and the area may be
increased by 2.5 square feet for every 2 feet that said sign is set
back 15 feet beyond the street right-of-way up to a maximum of
120 square feet.
4. Main Street Historic District. Permits for signs that encroach into the public
right-of-way shall be obtained from the City Manager's office in City Hall.
(Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.070 Comprehensive Sign Plan
A comprehensive sign plan shall be submitted for all commercial, office, industrial, and civic
uses consisting of two or more tenant or occupant spaces on a lot or two or more lots subject to
a common development permit or plan. A comprehensive sign plan shall not be approved unless
it is consistent with this chapter, the underlying zoning regulations applicable to the property and
any discretionary development permit or plan for the property. The plan should include the size
and location of buildings and the size and location of existing and proposed signs. The purpose
of the plan is to coordinate graphics and signs with building design. The coordination shall be
achieved by:
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A. Using the same type of cabinet supports or method of mounting for signs of the
same type; using the same type of construction for components, such as sign copy,
cabinet, and supports; using other types of integrating techniques, such as common
color elements, determined appropriate by the Planning Director;
B. Using the same form of illumination for all signs, or by using varied forms of
illuminations determined compatible by the Planning Director. (Ord. 1645 S 1,2005)
18.52.080 Multi~tenant Complexes with Less than 100,000 Square Feet of Ground Floor
Area
The guidelines for the underlying zoning districts apply unless otherwise addressed below:
A. The maximum permitted wall sign area allowed for each tenant space shall be the
percentage of the total floor area on the zoned lot that the tenant occupies multiplied
by the wall area allowed by SS 18.52.060.A.2 or 18.52.060.B.2. If the lot has more
than one building frontage, the individual tenant space may derive sign area only
from the frontage(s) on which the space faces. Lots under this section shall be
allowed a low profile sign that identifies the complex, which otherwise conforms to
this chapter, in addition to the sign area already permitted under SS 18.52.060.A.2
or 18.52.060.B.2. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.090 Multi-tenant Complexes with More than 100,000 Square Feet of Ground Floor
Area
The guidelines for the underlying zoning districts apply unless otherwise addressed below:
A. Freestanding Signs
1. Pole~style Signs, One pole-style sign per street frontage not to exceed 48
square feet in area or 16 feet in height. The sign area computed for a
pole-style sign shall not be subtracted from the maximum allowable wall
signage permitted for the entire complex.
2. Low Profile Signs. One low profile sign shall be permitted at each
secondary entrance of the complex, provided each sign shall not exceed
32 square feet in area, not 5 feet in height, and must be setback a
minimum of 5 feet from the property lines. All low profile signs shall only
identify the complex and must display the street number address in figures
which are at least 6 inches high. Low profile signs complying with these
regulations will not be factored when calculating the maximum permitted
wall sign area.
B. Wall Signs. Each tenant shall be permitted wall signage square footage calculated
from 1,5 times the linear store frontage. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.100 Indoor Shopping Mall Complexes with More than 100,000 Square Feet of
Ground Floor Area
The guidelines for the underlying zoning districts apply unless otherwise addressed below:
A. Freestanding Signs
I. Pole-style Signs. One pole-style sign per street frontage not to exceed 48
square feet in area or 16 feet in height. The sign area computed for a
pole~style sign shall not be subtracted from the maximum allowable wall
signage permitted for the entire complex.
2. Low Profile Signs. One low profile sign shall be permitted at each
secondary entrance of the complex, provided each sign shall not exceed
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32 square feet in area, nor 5 feet in height, and must be setback a
minimum of 5 feet from the property lines. All low profile signs shall only
identify the complex and must display the street number address in figures
which are at least 6 inches high. Low profile signs complying with these
regulations will not be factored when calculating the maximum permitted
wall sign area.
B. Wall Signs. Each anchor tenant occupying 20,000 square feet or more shall be
permitted 300 square feet of wall signage. Each tenant with an exclusive outdoor
customer entrance shall be permitted wall signage square footage calculated from
5 percent of the ground floor area. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.110 Illumination
A. Illumination, if any, shall be provided by artificial light which is constant in intensity
and color. Internally illuminated "can signs" are acceptable provided background
and copy are coordinated to avoid excessive light output. Neon and other gas type
transformers shall be limited to 60 milliamperes and fluorescent transformers shall
be limited to 800 milliamperes to soften light output. Additionally, neon and other
gas type signs with exposed tubing shall be equipped with dimmers.
B. Externally illuminated wall-mounted and pole signs shall be lighted by fixtures
mounted at the top of the sign and aimed downward; ground-mounted sign lighting
may only be used for monument style signs. Fixtures used to illuminate signs shall
be aimed so as not to project their output beyond the sign. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.120 Street Vision Triangles
Signs shall not be placed in sight vision triangles as they are established in S 18.44.100.
(Ord. 1645 S 1,2005)
18.52.130 Required Address Signs
Street numbers shall be required for all residential, commercial, industrial, and civic uses in
all zones, consistent with the requirements of the Fire Department. All freestanding signs shall
display the address of the lot in 6-inch numbers. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.140 Billboards and Other Off-premise Advertising
Off-premises commercial advertising signs are not permitted within the Bozeman city limits
except as permitted by state or federal law. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.150 Signs Erected in Conjunction with Nonprofit Activities on Public Property
Signs erected on public property in support of nonprofit activities, such as signs advertising
sponsors of youth and sports activities, shall be allowed only as follows:
A. The sign(s) shall be permitted only at developed facilities in pUblic parks or other
publicly owned lands.
B. The sign(s) may be erected two weeks prior to the commencement of the activity
and shall be removed within two weeks after the cessation of the activity for which
the sign(s) were erected.
C. Each individual sign shall be no larger than 32 square feet. Freestanding signs
must be setback a minimum of 15 feet from the property line with a maximum height
of 5 feet. Signs attached to walls or scoreboards shall not be subject to the 5 foot
height limitation. However, signs attached to walls or scoreboards shall not exceed
the height of the wall or scoreboard to which they are attached. All signs shall be
oriented towards spectators attending the activity who are at the facility.
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D. The sign(s) shall not:
1. Advertise alcoholic beverages or tobacco products;
2, Be individually illuminated; or
3, Be placed in sight vision triangles or otherwise impede or obstruct the view
of the traveling public.
E. Applicants for such sign(s) must apply for, and have approved, a special temporary
sign permit detailing the nature of the sign(s) to be erected and the duration the
sign(s) will remain in place. Applications and review procedures shall be made as
per S 18.52,170. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.160 Historic or Culturally Significant Signs
Signs which have historical or cultural significance to the city but do not conform to the
provisions of this chapter, maybe permitted provided that the City Commission adopts findings
supporting the historical or cultural significance of the sign and issues a sign permit. Such
findings shall be adopted by resolution of the City Commission. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.170 Application
An application for a sign shall be made on forms provided by the Planning Department. The
application shall contain sufficient information and plans to permit review pursuant to this chapter,
including but not limited to:
building elevations, photographs, proposed locations of signs on building elevations,
sign design layout showing number, types and dimensions of all signs, and a site plan
showing proposed location of all signs.
An applicant may appeal the denial of permit request pursuant to the provisions of Chapter
18.66. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.180 Maintenance of Permitted Signs
All signs shall be continuously maintained in a state of security, safety and repair.
Abandoned signs and sign support structures shall be removed. If any sign is found not to be so
maintained, or is in need of repair or has been abandoned, it shall be the duty of the owner and
the occupant of the premises to repair or remove the sign within fourteen calendar days after
receiving written notice to do so from the Planning Director. If the sign is not so repaired or
removed within such time, the Planning Director shall cause the sign to be removed at the
expense of the owner of the premises. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
18.52.190 Nonconforming Signs
A. The eventual elimination of existing signs that are not in conformity with the
provisions of this chapter is as important as the regulation of new signs. Except as
otherwise provided herein, the owner of any zone lot or other premises on which
exists a sign that does not conform with the requirements of this chapter and for
which there is no prior, valid sign permit shall remove such sign.
B. All signs which were legally permitted prior to June 22, 1997, are considered legal,
permitted signs under this chapter. Except as provided for in Subsection C of this
section, said sign, if nonconforming with this chapter, may not be:
1. Replaced except with a conforming sign;
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2. Changed in copy (except for signs specifically designed to be changed in
copy, such as reader-boards with changeable letters);
3. Structurally altered to extend its useful life; or
4. Expanded, moved, or relocated.
C. No legal, nonconforming sign may be altered or enlarged in any way which
increases its nonconformity, but any existing signage, or portions thereof, may be
altered by decreasing its nonconformity (except as provided in Subsection D below).
D. Any lot with a nonconforming sign may not add additional signage until all signs on
the lot are brought into conformance with this chapter. Any site modification that
requires a certificate of appropriateness, site plan review, or reuse application will
necessitate compliance for all existing and proposed signage on the lot.
E. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, no sign shall be subject to any
limitation based on the content of the message contained on such sign. Any sign
authorized in this chapter may contain noncommercial copy in lieu of any other
copy. (Ord. 1645 S 1, 2005)
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