§ 70-603. General sign provisions.

(a)

Owner consent. A sign shall not be placed on non-residential property without the written consent of the owner or the owner's authorized representative or upon residential property without the consent of the property owner.

(b)

Electrical permits. It shall be unlawful for any person, to construct, erect, alter, enlarge, move or modify any illuminated or electrical sign or the lighting fixtures and wiring associated with illuminated or electrical signage without first obtaining an electrical permit from the State of Colorado. Proof of such permit and documentation of compliance with its terms and conditions must be submitted to the city's building department prior to approval of a building permit.

(c)

Building permits required for permanent signs.

(1)

It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, erect or maintain any permanent sign without first obtaining a building permit from the city.

(2)

An application for a sign permit shall be filed with the city and must contain the following information, unless waived by the city manager:

a.

An elevation of the proposed sign, drawn to scale, showing the sign that is proposed to be erected and the message that it will display.

b.

The sign area, color scheme and construction materials of the sign.

c.

A plot plan showing the location of the sign on the property. If the sign is to be attached to the face of the building, the elevation shall also show the outline of the building.

d.

For sign replacements, a photo of the existing sign including its dimensions must be provided along with the sign area of the proposed replacement sign.

(3)

If, after review, the city staff finds the sign to be in conformity with all applicable provisions of the Code and any applicable official development plans, a sign permit shall be issued. If the application is denied, the city shall inform the applicant of the reason for denial.

(4)

A building permit fee shall not be required for a change of copy of any sign with an identical size panel.

(5)

A building permit shall not be required for the repainting, cleaning and the routine maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a permit has previously been issued under this article, so long as the sign's structure is not altered.

(d)

Measurement. In determining the size of any sign, the following procedure shall be used:

(1)

For signs involving individual letters that are placed flat against the facade of a building or that are to be supported on individual standards and that will be freestanding, the area of said sign shall be deemed to consist of a single rectangle or square encompassing all of the letters used to convey the message of the sign, and shall include the open space between letters of words within that square or rectangle.

(2)

For signs, either freestanding or facade mounted, with background material, the area measurement shall be determined by the area of the entire structure, including the background material.

(3)

For all two-faced freestanding or projecting signs, the area measurement shall be determined by measurement of one face of the sign. Signs located on opposite sides of awnings and canopies are not considered two-faced signs, but instead will be calculated as two separate signs.

(e)

Setbacks. No part of a sign may protrude into any setback.

(f)

Placement. All signs shall be placed in such a manner as to not interfere with the free movement of traffic, or obscure the vision of motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians.

(g)

Overhangs. The lowest point of a sign which extends over an area intended for pedestrian use shall not be less than seven feet above the finished grade below it, unless the sign extends not more than four inches from the wall. The lowest point of a sign which extends over an area intended for vehicular use shall not be less than 14 feet above the finished grade below it.

(h)

Visibility. Signs in residential zone districts that are not visible from a public right-of-way shall not contribute to the overall sign area allocation calculations for a property.

(i)

Responsibility. Business owners and property owners shall be jointly and severally responsible for and assume all liability for the safe installation and display of all signs and advertising devices installed pursuant to this article.

(j)

Maintenance. Every sign and its supporting structure shall be properly maintained in good structural condition and shall be kept neatly painted at all times. All signs, sign finishes, supports and electrical work shall be kept in good repair and safe condition, including the replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of said sign.

(k)

Safety. Should a sign, in the determination of the city's building official, become unsecured or in danger of failing, or otherwise unsafe, the city manager may give written notice of the condition of the sign and an order to correct the condition to the person owning, leasing or responsible for the sign. Said person so ordered shall correct the unsafe condition of the sign in a manner to be approved by the city's building official in conformity with the provisions of this article.

(l)

Appearance. All power units and their appurtenances shall be concealed. All wiring to freestanding signs shall be underground.

(m)

Altering or moving existing permanent signs. A permanent sign may not be moved to another location or altered absent acquisition of a permit issued by the city. Alteration of an existing sign includes but is not limited to, any change in the signs' text, height, size, shape, construction material, or lighting.

(n)

Standards. Signs that do not meet the standards of this section shall be deemed a nuisance in accordance with article IV of chapter 30 of the Code.

(Ord. No. 18-09, § 1, 7-17-2018; Ord. No. 18-13, § 2, 9-4-2018)