HomeMy WebLinkAboutNo 908 Amending the Temporary Window and Banner Sign Sections of the Sign Ordinance
MAPLEWOOD ORDINANCE NO. 908
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TEMPORARY WINDOW AND
BANNER SIGN SECTIONS OF THE SIGN ORDINANCE
The Maplewood city council approves the following changes to the Maplewood Code of
Ordinances:
This amendment revises Article III (Sign Regulations) pertaining to temporary window and
banner signs as follows:
1.Section 3. Definitions
Long-Term Exemption to Temporary Window and Banner Signs. Community Design
Review Board review process for approving long-term variations to the temporary
window and banner sign sections of the ordinance. Long-term exemptions would allow a
one-time, long-term (greater than three (3) months) variation from the temporary window
or banner sign size or number requirements.
Short-Term Exemption to Temporary Window and Banner Signs. Administrative process
for reviewing and approving short-term variations to the temporary window and banner
sign sections of the ordinance. Short-term exemptions would allow a one-time, short-
term (up to three (3) months) variation from the temporary window or banner sign size,
number, or time display limits for a special event with a specific deadline.
Window Sign.A sign painted on a window or placed inside the building to be viewed
through the glass by public. This does not include merchandise on display.
Window. Any transparent or translucent glass or similar material that comprises part of
the surface of a wall, regardless of its movability. Entire walls of transparent or
translucent glass or similar material are excluded from this definition.
Window Sign. A sign painted on a window or placed inside the building to be viewed
through a window by the public. This does not include merchandise on display in a
window, seasonal displays of holiday pictures, decals, lights, and decorations that do not
contain a commercial message or signs which are legally required to be posted.
2.Section 2. Comprehensive Sign and Mural Plans
A comprehensive sign plan shall be provided for the following:
(a) Business premises with five (5) or more tenants on the premise and all multiple-
story buildings with two (2) or more tenants in the building.
(b) Dynamic display wall signs (also refer to Section 13 – Dynamic Display Signs).
(c) Large campuses consisting of buildings and land of ten (10) or more acres.
(d) Shared signs.
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(e) All developments approved as a planned unit development.
(f) Murals on business premises.
(g) Temporary sports facility sponsorship signs (also refer to Section 12 – Signs in
Park Designated Land Use in the Maplewood Comprehensive Plan).
(h) Long-term exemptions to temporary window and banner signs (also refer to
Section 8 – Signs Exempt from Regulations in this Ordinance).
Such a plan, which shall include the location, size, height, color, lighting and orientation
of all signs and/or murals, shall be submitted for preliminary plan approval by the city.
Exceptions to the sign ordinance of this article may be permitted for sign areas,
densities, and dynamic display changeover rates for the plan as a whole if the signs are
in conformity with the intent of this article, results in an improved relationship between
the various parts of the plan, encourages and promotes the removal of nonconforming
signs through the use of shared signs, and in the case of long-term exemptions to
temporary window and banner signs show that there are unusual circumstances with the
request. In addition, murals must be tasteful, in keeping with the business premise and
surrounding properties, and not contain any defamatory, obscene, treasonous
expressions or opinions, including graffiti.
Comprehensive sign plans shall be reviewed by the community design review board.
The applicant, staff, and city council may appeal the community design review board’s
decision. An appeal shall be presented to the administrator within fifteen (15) days of
the community design review board’s decision to be considered by the city council.
3.Section 8. Signs Exempt from Regulations in this Ordinance
(a) Any public notice or warning sign required to be maintained or posted by law or
governmental order, rule, or regulation.
(b) Flags and emblems of a political, civic, religious, or other non-commercial nature.
Flags that do not meet these requirements will be considered banners and be
regulated as such.
(c) Any sign inside a building, not attached to an exterior window, not legible from a
distance of more than ten (10) feet.
(d) Traffic control signs, as defined by state law.
(e) Memorial plaques, cornerstones, historical tablets, and the like.
(f) Seasonal displays of holiday lights and decorations that do not contain a
commercial message.
(g) Short-term exemption to temporary window and banner signs which exceed the
size, number, or time display limits if approved by the Community Development
Director. Applicant must submit a temporary sign permit application and fee to
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the Community Development Director. The Community Development Director
will approve the short-term exemption (up to three (3) months) if the applicant
shows that there are unusual circumstances with the request. The Community
Development Director may attach conditions to the approval to assure that the
sign will be compatible with surrounding properties.
(h) Long-term exemption to temporary window and banner signs which exceed the
size or number if approved by the Community Design Review Board. Applicant
must submit a comprehensive sign plan (also refer to Section 2, Comprehensive
Sign Plans and Murals) and fee to the city. The Community Design Review
Board will approve the long-term exemption (greater than three (3) months) if the
applicant shows that there are unusual circumstances with the request. The
Community Design Review Board may attach conditions to the approval to
assure that the sign will be compatible with surrounding properties.
4. Section 11. Special Purpose and Temporary Signs Permitted in All Zoning
Districts
(n) Banners
Banners may be used as temporary signage and are not required to have a permit
unless used for more than thirty (30) days. Banners shall not exceed one hundred fifty
(150) square feet in area or twenty (20) percent of the wall area, whichever is greater.
There shall be no more than one (1) banner at any business location. Each tenant
space at a shopping center shall count as a separate business location. The city council
may approve exceptions to this section if the applicant can show there are unusual
circumstances with the request. The council may attach conditions to their approval to
assure that the sign will be compatible with surrounding properties.
(o) Window Signs
Window signs may be used as temporary signage, not exceeding 75 percent of the
window area.
5.Section 12. Permitted Signs in Land Use and Zoning Districts
a.Signs in Residential Zoning Districts (Districts R-1, R-1R, R-S, R-E, R-2, R-3
and all subsequent Residential Zoning Districts Adopted after the Date of
this Ordinance)
(e) Temporary Banners
Temporary banners may be displayed without a permit for residential
subdivisions and multiple-unit developments and for all legal non-residential uses
excluding home occupation businesses for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days
per year, per property. No more than one (1) banner may be displayed per
property at any one time. Each banner shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square
feet and must be attached to a building or other permanent structure. Banners
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shall be designed to be professional looking and prevented from becoming torn
or weathered.
(f) Temporary Signs and Displays Over Twelve (12) Square Feet
b.Signs In the LBC (Limited Business Commercial), CO (Commercial Office),
and NC (Neighborhood Commercial) Zoning Districts
(e) Temporary Banners
(1) For single tenant buildings, temporary banners may be displayed
without a sign permit for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days total per
year, per property. No more than one (1) banner may be displayed per
property at any one time, except for multiple-tenant buildings (see below).
(2) For multiple-tenant buildings, each separate tenant may display
temporary banners without a sign permit for a period not to exceed sixty
(60) days total per year, per property. No more than one (1) banner may
be displayed per separate tenant at any one time.
(3) Each banner shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet and must be
attached to a building or other permanent structure. Banners shall be
designed to be professional looking and prevented from becoming torn or
weathered.
(f) Temporary Window Signs
Temporary window signs are allowed without a permit. Temporary window signs
shall be neatly painted or attached to the surface of a window, but shall cover no
more than thirty (30) percent of the total area of the window.
(g)Temporary Signs and Displays Over Twelve (12) Square Feet
c.Signs in the BC (Business Commercial), BC-M (Business Commercial
Modified), M-1 (Light Manufacturing), and M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing)
Zoning Districts
(i) Temporary Banners
(1) For single tenant buildings, temporary banners may be displayed
without a sign permit for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days total per
year, per property. No more than one (1) banner may be displayed per
property at any one time, except for multiple-tenant buildings (see below).
(2) For multiple tenant buildings, each separate tenant may display
temporary banners without a sign permit for a period not to exceed sixty
(60) days total per year, per property. No more than one (1) banner may
be displayed per separate tenant at any one time.
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(3) Each banner shall not exceed sixty-four (64) square feet and must be
attached to a building or other permanent structure. Banners shall be
designed to be professional looking and prevented from becoming torn or
weathered.
(j) Temporary Window Signs
Temporary window signs are allowed without a permit. Temporary window signs
shall be neatly painted or attached to the surface of a window, but shall cover no
more than thirty (30) percent of the total area of the window.
(k)Temporary Signs and Displays Over Twelve (12) Square Feet
The city council approved the first reading of this ordinance on July 26, 2010.
The city council approved the second reading of this ordinance on August 9, 2010.
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