1. General area calculation. Signs mounted on or displayed as a standard geometrical shape shall be measured by the standard mathematical formula for that shape. Signs mounted on or displayed as an irregular shape shall be measured by the smallest area of up to two standard geometrical shapes that can encompass the entire sign mounting.

 

2. Detached signs. The area of the sign shall be computed by the entire area of the face of the structure, cabinet, or module enclosed by the border of the frame.
3. Wall, window, or other building-mounted signs. Any building-mounted sign mounted on a background shall be measured by the area of the background. If mounted directly on the wall, the area shall be computed by means of the smallest single and continuous perimeter of up to two standard geometric shapes that enclose the outer limits of the writing, emblem, or other display. Gaps in writing, emblems, or other display greater than two times the height of the sign area, when using the same single continuous perimeter above, may be subtracted from the calculation of the sign area but shall be interpreted as two signs. The area of the wall or window area for the purposes of determining an allowed percentage shall be the total surface of the wall or window visible in an elevation view.

 

4. Double-faced signs. Where the sign faces of a double-faced sign are no more than three feet apart at any location, only one face will be measured in computing sign area. If the two faces of a double-faced sign are of unequal area, the area of the sign will be the area of the larger face. In all other cases, the areas of all faces of a multifaced sign or the surface area of objects will be added together to compute the area of the sign.

1. Height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign. In cases in which the normal grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of a public street or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the principal structure on the lot, whichever is lower.
2. Location.

a. Signs shall be located on private property, unless otherwise permitted in this chapter.
b. No sign shall be located within the thirty-foot sight distance triangle, of any corner lot as defined in Article II, § 26-5 (Defined terms), of this chapter or within a similar area at the intersection of any property entry drive intersection with a public street.

1. Each individual building or structure occupied by one business shall be allowed a maximum of two signs, which may be a wall sign, a projecting sign, a ground sign or a pole sign, provided that there shall not be more than one sign per type, except as detailed in Subsection C2.
2. For a business located on a lot with multiple street or parking frontages, one wall sign may be permitted on each street/parking side of the building, one projecting sign may be permitted on each street/parking side of the building, and one pole sign or ground sign on such lot may be permitted, provided that there shall not be more than two types of signs.
3. Where more than one business has a separate exterior entrance to a building, each business shall be allowed two signs, one of which may be a wall sign and the other of which may be an under-canopy sign or a sign as described under § 26-33 (Design and location standards), Subsection D9 (Standards and requirements by sign types; Shopping center signs) herein, if applicable.
4. Two nonilluminated signs may be lettered on the glass show window or entry door of each storefront of a business, as described under § 26-33 (Design and location standards), Subsection D5 (Standards and requirements by sign types; Window signs).
5. A canopy or awning sign may be substituted for a permitted wall sign upon determination by the Planning, Zoning, and Architectural Review Commission of a hardship warranting such sign, provided that such sign is in compliance with all of the requirements of this chapter and such sign:

a. Maintains a clearance of at least 13 feet above grade where there will be vehicular traffic beneath it or maintains a clearance of 10 feet above grade where there will be pedestrian traffic beneath it.
b. Is painted or is of the same material as the awning or canopy when the sign is applied to cloth or similar material.
c. Is not internally illuminated.

6. The limitation as to the number of signs shall not include window signs, directional signs, signs directly facing the ordering area at a drive-through restaurant, or monument or ground signs that identify a shopping center, business, park, or multitenant development.

1. An application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by plans and specifications. The plans and specifications must be drawn to scale and shall include the dimensions, material, and details of construction of the proposed sign, together with an accurate colored rendering of the proposed sign. A site plan of the property and/or building elevations indicating where the sign(s) is(are) to be located must also be provided.
2. Before a permit can be granted for the installation of any sign, the applicant for said permit must submit evidence of an agreement signed by the owner or owners of said property granting permission to the applicant to install said sign and binding said owner or owners, their heirs and assigns irrevocably to permit the City through its agents to enter on said real property for the purpose of removing said sign or signs as provided under the provisions of this chapter, and waiving and holding the City harmless from any damage to said real property occasioned by said sign removal.
3. Vintage signs. In addition to the general application requirements in this section for a sign permit, an application requesting vintage sign designation or modification shall require:

a. Detailed drawings and/or photographs of the sign in its current condition;
b. Written narrative and supporting documentation demonstrating how the sign meets the applicable criteria;
c. Detailed drawings of any modifications being sought;
d. Detailed drawings of any relocation being sought; and
e. Historic and current photographs of the sign.

4. The Director of Public Services may prescribe suitable regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this section concerning the form and content of all applications for the various types of permits herein required.

1. Before the issuance of each required sign permit, a fee in the amount established by the Board of Aldermen shall be paid to the City.
2. For each temporary sign requiring a permit, the fee shall be in the amount established by the Board of Aldermen.
3. The provisions of the building code and electrical code of the City shall govern the construction, alteration, and maintenance of all signs.
4. If the sign is illuminated, an electrical permit and inspection by St. Louis County shall be required.

1. Signs and their related support structures must be free of rust, peeling, flaking, fading, broken or cracked surfaces, and broken or missing letters. Every supporting structure shall be kept in an upright condition. Electronic message centers or displays shall have properly functioning electronic components.
2. Where upon inspection by the Director of Public Services, or their designee, it has been determined that any sign requires maintenance or repair, written notice to the owner, the tenant, and/or the managing agent of the property on which any such sign is located shall be given by the Director of Public Services. The property owner, tenant, and/or managing agent of the property shall be provided with a period of 30 days in which to correct the condition. The Director of Public Services shall have the ability to grant, in writing, an extension of not more than 30 days.
3. Signs which are not properly maintained, and which have not been repaired within the time period as specified in § 26-36A2 above, will be subject to removal in accord with the provisions of § 26-36B of this section below.

1. Conflicting signs. Signs or devices, which by color, location, or design resemble or conflict with traffic control signs or devices;
2. Exterior use of advertising devices, such as: pennants affixed on poles, wires, or ropes, streamers, wind-operated devices, inflatables, searchlights, flashing lights, and any other type of fluttering devices, except flags, as defined in § 26-32 (Definitions), shall not be prohibited by this subsection.
3. Letters or pictures in the form of advertising printed or applied directly on the wall of a building;
4. Paper posters and painted signs applied directly to the wall of a building or pole or other support, except for signage approved by the Planning, Zoning, and Architectural Review Commission as set forth in § 26-35 (Exemptions and prohibitions), Subsection C (Signs and devices requiring approval of the Planning Commission), of this article;
5. Signs painted on the inside or outside of windows, not including etched glass;
6. Signs advertising an article or product not manufactured, assembled, processed, repaired, or sold upon the premises upon which the sign is located, unless otherwise permitted by ordinance;
7. Signs advertising a service not rendered on the premises upon which the sign is located, unless otherwise permitted by ordinance;
8. Revolving signs of any type;
9. Signs in residential districts, except as otherwise permitted herein;
10. Signs with more than two faces;
11. Roof signs;
12. Banners, pennants, or flags suspended from an awning;
13. Exterior banner signs, except as provided in § 26-33D2 (Standards and requirements by sign type; Banner signs);
14. Signs placed in such a way as to create a traffic hazard;
15. Portable signs, except as provided in § 26-33D15 (Standards and requirements by sign type; Reader board signs);
16. Signs that display obscene, indecent, or immoral matters as defined in Section 573.010, RSMo., as amended;
17. Signs erected or maintained in such a manner that prevents free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape;
18. Ground or wall signs lighted with gooseneck or other types of external reflectors erected and maintained in a manner that creates glare upon the street, access drives, adjacent property, or may impact the vision of pedestrians on adjacent sidewalks;
19. Signs with exposed raceways; and
20. Post and panel signs.

Removal. Signs are subject to removal in accord with the provisions and procedures as follows:

1. The following signs are subject to removal:

a. Signs which are found to be unsafe and capable of creating a hazard to persons or property;
b. Signs which are prohibited under § 26-35B (Signs and devices prohibited) hereof;
c. Signs which are erected without a permit, if required under the sign code;
d. Signs for which required fees have not been paid; and
e. Signs that are not maintained in accordance with the requirements of § 26-36A (Maintenance) of this section and this article or other applicable City Code requirements.

2. The Director of Public Services, or their designee, shall give written notice to the owner or the managing agent of the property on which any such sign is located, directing its removal within seven days and informing such owner or managing agent that, if the sign is not removed within such designated period, the Director of Public Services, or his/her designee, shall cause it to be removed and the costs charged as a special tax bill. If the sign is not timely removed, the Director of Public Services, or his/her designee, shall file a property lien with St. Louis County, cause the same to be removed and certify the costs to the City Clerk and Code Enforcement Officer. The Code Enforcement Officer shall file a property lien with St. Louis County against the property, Any such tax bill, if not paid, shall bear interest at the rate of the prime rate plus 1%.
3. The City, and any of its officials, is authorized to go upon any premises for the purpose of removal of any sign under the provisions hereof. Signs so removed shall be retained by the City for a period of 30 days and, if payment of all expenses of the City in connection with such removal are paid within such period, shall be returned to the owner. If not so claimed within such period of time, the City may dispose of such sign in any manner, by destroying, or selling same.
4. In addition to the procedures herein authorized, any person failing to remove any such sign upon notification to do so shall, upon conviction, be subject to the penalties provided for violation of City ordinances.

Appeals.

1. Any person whose application for a permit for a sign has been denied may file an appeal with, and seek a sign variance from, the Planning, Zoning, and Architectural Review Commission. An application for a sign variance shall be accompanied by a filing fee in an amount established by the Board of Aldermen. The Planning, Zoning, and Architectural Review Commission may not grant a sign variance unless it finds that the granting of such a sign variance will alleviate a hardship or difficulty, that such hardship or difficulty is of such substance and magnitude as to warrant such a sign variance, that the public interest is secured and that the spirit of the sign code is observed. The Planning, Zoning, and Architectural Review Commission may impose such conditions, as it deems necessary to safeguard surrounding property and to prevent a misuse of the sign variance. Any person whose request for a sign variance has been denied by the Planning, Zoning, and Architectural Review Commission may seek a review of such denial by the Board of Aldermen by filing a written request for review with the City Clerk within 15 days of receipt of notification of denial from the Department of Public Works. The same standards for granting a sign variance by the Planning, Zoning, and Architectural Review Commission shall apply for review by the Board of Aldermen. Five affirmative votes shall be required for the Board of Aldermen to approve a sign variance.
2. Any person aggrieved by the approval of any permit by the enforcement official may appeal to the Planning, Zoning, and Architectural Review Commission when it is alleged that such permit violates any provision of the sign code. The Planning, Zoning, and Architectural Review Commission may revoke such permit upon a finding that such sign does not comply with all of the requirements of the sign code.

Limitations on sign variances. Variances shall only be granted for the size, location, and number of signs. Variances will not be granted for prohibited signs.

Electronic message centers or displays (hereinafter referred to as "display"). In order to provide for the safe and appropriate use of electronic message display signs, and the installation of signs containing such components, the regulations as follows are intended to ensure that the use of such signs will not have a detrimental effect on the surrounding area or the public welfare and will be consistent with the purpose and intent of this article and this chapter. The requirements for electronic message centers are only applicable to signs installed after the effective date of this Code section. Existing electronic message centers which were approved by the Planning, Zoning, and Architectural Review Commission prior to the effective date of this Code section are allowed to continue to operate until such time as the sign becomes nonoperational or is substantially modified.

1. Provide uniform regulation and orderly development of signs consistent with established policies and ordinances of the City.
2. Preserve the unique character of the City as reflected in distinct commercial and industrial areas by ensuring signs contribute to an appropriate sense of place.
3. Enhance the visual quality of commercial and industrial areas by giving visual priority to buildings, open spaces, streetscapes, and landscape.
4. Ensure safety of pedestrians, motorists or other users of the public rights-of-way and open spaces by ensuring signs are maintained and structurally safe, do not distract or reduce the effectiveness of public safety signs, and do not represent traffic hazards by virtue of their placement and lighting.
5. Promote economic viability by assuring that the City will be a visually pleasant place to visit, conduct business, and live.
6. Provide effective and efficient identification and communication for businesses without excessive competition for visual attention.
7. Protect property values by minimizing adverse effects of signs on adjacent property, which can occur from conditions such as light trespass, obstructing the views and access, or visual clutter and blight.
8. Allow signs that are compatible with their surroundings and aid in orientation.
9. Prohibit the placement of signs that contribute to sign clutter or conceal or obstruct adjacent land uses or signs; to preclude signs from conflicting with the principal permitted use of the site and adjoining sites; and to minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property.
10. Reduce visual clutter that may otherwise be caused by the proliferation, improper placement, illumination, animation, excessive height, and excessive size (area) of signs which compete for the attention of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

1. All new signs and replacement of existing signs shall require a sign permit demonstrating compliance with these sign standards, unless exempt from a permit by § 26-34 (Permit requirements and exceptions) of this article.
2. Ordinary maintenance, care or repair of existing signs, or change of copy without altering the essential construction elements of an existing sign shall not require a permit for zoning and design standards, but any electrical or building code issues may require permitting.
3. New commercial or industrial development, redevelopment, or rehabilitation involving multiple buildings or buildings comprising multiple tenants and any development subject to site plan or development plan review in conjunction with Article III, § 26-10 (Planned development), or§ 26-12 (Major site plan and design review), as required by the zoning district provisions of Article IV, § 26-16 (Standards applicable to all districts), Subsection B (Exceptions and supplemental standards), and Article IV, § 26-18 (Watson Road Overlay Area), applicable to the Watson Road Overlay Area shall include information to indicate the type, size, and location of all signage in compliance with the provisions of § 26-33 (Design and location standards) of this article and the design standards.

Exemptions. Unless elsewhere specified in this article, the following signs are exempt from the preceding requirements contained in § 26-34 (Permit requirements and exceptions) of this article:

1. A sign which is not illuminated and, if in a residential district (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, or R-5), does not exceed eight square feet in area, and if in any other district, does not exceed 32 square feet. Only one such sign may be placed on the lot or premises except that two such signs may be placed on double frontage lots. One additional sign is permitted on residential properties for a period of no more than 24 hours;
2. Temporary signs not over 25 square feet for nonresidential uses in a residential district (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, or R-5);
3. One additional sign consistent with the requirements of Subsection A1 above, per street frontage if a construction project is underway or has been completed within the last 14 days on the lot or premises on which the sign is placed. Such signs may not be illuminated signs and may not exceed 16 square feet in surface area in residential districts, or 32 square feet in surface area in commercial districts;
4. Traffic or other municipal signs, and any signs required by federal, state, or local law, court order or legal process;
5. Yard signs.

a. Yard signs shall not exceed 25 square feet, and there may be no more than one of the same sign per street frontage. Additional ground signs are permitted under this subsection during an election season; however, two or more identical signs are not permitted Any additional sign permitted during an election season, which is not removed after the end of an election season, shall be considered a prohibited sign.
b. A yard sign may be placed on City property used as a polling place; the signs are only allowed from 8:00 p.m. on the day prior to the vote until 7:00 a.m. of the day following the vote. Signs placed on City property outside of these times will be promptly removed.

6. Professional nameplates not exceeding three square feet in area;
7. Window signs;
8. Occupational signs not over four square feet in area (on building); and
9. Signs erected inside a building.

Signs and devices requiring approval of the Planning Commission. The following signs and devices require approval of the Planning Commission prior to receiving a permit:

1. Box signs used as wall signs.
2. Signs on parking lot light standards.
3. Marquee signs.
4. Signs containing flashers, animators, or mechanical movement or contrivances of any kind.
5. Professionally painted signs on sheet metal and affixed to the wall, but limited to the rear of commercial businesses whose property is adjacent to Grant's Trail. Such signs, if approved by Planning, Zoning, and Architectural Review Commission, cannot exceed 50 square feet in size.
6. Vintage signs.