HomeMy Public PortalAboutOrdinance No. 523-84 10-15-1984 ORDINANCE 523
An Ordinance Of The City Of Richland Hills, Texas, Providing
l Standards For The Installation Of Signs; Defining Various
Terms and jti~ords; Providing For Variances; Providing For Non-
conforming Signs; Requiring Plans Be Submitted; Providing For
The Issuance Of Permits; and Establishing Fees-; Providing A
Saving Clause And A Penalty; Providing For The Repeal Of Con-
~ flicting Ordinances;- Establishing An Effective Date And Pro-
viding For Publication.
hr~iEREAS signs are recognized as a significant and specific use
of land for the purpose of protection of places and areas of his-
torical and cultural importance, to increase safety and lessen
congestion in the streets, to conserve the value of buildings, to
preserve residential values and to encourage the most appropriate
use of land.
NOj,' THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL- OF THE CITY OF
RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS;THAT,
SECTION l: Standards are herein provided for the installation of
signs and that no sign shall. be erected, placed or located except
in accordance with the following standards.
SECTION 2: Definitions. - I'
The-following words and phrases, as used in this chapter,
shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section, unless
.clearly indicated to the contrary:
Advertising Sign: A sign relating to:
(1) A business activity, use or service not conducted
on the premises upon which the sign is placed.
(2) A product not sold, handled, produced or fabri-
cated on the same premises upon which the sign is placed.
Billboard: An advertising sign.
Building Line: A line established by zoning provisions of
the Richland Hills Zoning Ordinance, beyond which no part
of a principal building or structure may be erected.
Bui•ldin Official: The officer or other person within the
city charge wit the administration and enforcement of this
ordinance.
Bulletin Board Or Identification Si n: A sign listing church
services or a irectory sign 1 enti ying the use of or listing
the names, use and location of the various services, offices or,i
activities within a building or group of buildings of:
(1) A public or semi-public use.
. (2) A charitable use.
(3) A professional or semi-professional use.
(4) A medical center.
(5) A clinic or hospital.
(6) An apartment building.
Business Sign: A sign relating to:
(1) A business, activity, use or service conducted on
the premises upon which the sign is placed.
• (2) A product sold, handled, produced or fabricated
on the premises upon which the sign is placed.
Desi nated: The permissible sign types are designated as
as ollows:
G - Ground Sign
W - Wall Sign I~~
PA - Parapet Wall Sign
P - Pole Sign
PR - Projecting Sign
R - Roof Sign
M - Marquee Sign ~
PT - Portable Temporary
Erect: To build, constuct, attach, hang, place, suspend or
affix, including the painting of signs on the exterior sur-
face of a building or structure.
Ground Si n: A sign not attached to any building and sup-
porte y uprights or braces or some object on the ground
and is a type of free-standing sign, not a pole sign. -
Illuminated Si n: A sign lighted by or exposed to artifi-
cia ig ting, either by lights on the sign or directed to-
ward the sign. ~
• M~~ar~gu~.~e~e: A permanent roofed structure attached to and sup-
ported by a building.
Marquee Sign: A business Sign:
(1) Attached to; or
(2) Painted on; or
(3) Inscribed on; or
(4) Partly or fully supported by and made an integral
part of a marquee.
Outdoor Advertising Business: A person, firm or corporation
who or which manu actures, erects, repairs, maintains or paints
outdoor signs which are attached to buildings or advertising
structures, or manufactures, erects, repairs or maintains out- I,
door advertising structures, and places or services such out-
door signs or structures on premises not owned by him.
Pole Si n: A type of free-standing sign supported by a single
ree-standing pole and having no guys or braces to the ground
or to any structure other than the pole.
Political Sign: A sign:
• (1) Relating to the election of person to public office;
(2) Relating to a political party; or
(3) Relating to a_matter to be voted upon at an election
called by a public body.
• Portable Sign: Any sign supported by the ground, but not be-
ing attached to the ground or object.
Projecting Sign: A sign which projects from a building and
which has one end attached to a building or other permanent
structure.
Real Estate Sign: A sign:
(1) Giving direction to property for sale, for rent, or
for lease.
(2) Placed upon a property advertising that particular
property for sale, for rent or for lease.
(3) Placed on the premises of the area outlined in an
approved plat of a subdivision, advertising the sale of
lots within said subdivision.
Roof Si A sign which is erected upon, over or above a
roo o a building. I;
Wall Sign: A sign:
(1) Attached to;
(2) Painted on; or
(3) Erected against a wall or parapet wall of a build-
. ing or structure with the exposed face of the sign in
a plane parallel to the plane of the wall.
Neon tubing attached directly to the wall surface shall be I,
considered a wall sign..
Window Sign: A sign placed on the inside of a window, cover-
ing not more than fifty (50) percent of the total window area.''
Zonis Districts: The districts established in the city's zon-
ing ordinance.
SECTION 3: The following table depicts the type, size and other re-
strictions of signs generally allowed within each zoning district,
except as may be otherwise provided for a particular use by the sec-
tion governing a particular zoning district and also except as may bei
otherwise limited by the zoning ordinance. In case of conflicting
provisions, the more restrictive shall apply.
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H
~ ( ~ - vl
H w a w w ~ z~ z
U H - - - _ -
_ ---_--c~- -a
- - --p~----- H y C9 W Q _ _ C9 W C9 W W Z 2 Z F.a
A,' W ~"i ~ H i"~ E"' pG C7 Z H Z H H O O ww W~
~ ~ 2 H H ~--i H Z H H H a U' H
~ 6 H H H H x O H ~ H H H D
r-+ W H cn 1-i W W W~ U x ~ H H H~ W O
~ Ca W H ~ d W W~ H d 6 C.~ ~ H~ ~ Q d W G4
~ ~ iZ-+ ~ H H P+ vWi p4 vai PW. ~ W ~ P+ ~ Q ~ ~ ~ F4
AME PLATES ALL 2 3 G,W,P None None Yes No No Permanent
• 1 each 30 ft. Temporary -
Remove upon
EAL ESTATE ALL 12 6 G,W,P None of Stree t yes No No Sale or
Frontage Rental of
Property
Temporary -
Remove upon
ONSTRUCTION ALL 20 6 G,W,P None Yes No No Completion of
Construction
1 each 10 Temporary - Permitted fo
R-1 Remove when New Subdivi-
Acres or
R-2 400 30 G,W,P None part thereof Yes No No Project 907. sions Only
Complete See Sec. 5.7
Temporary -
Remove within
EVELOPMENT R-4 200 20 G W P None 6 months after
, , „ Yes No No See Sec. 5.1
Certificate of
Occupancy
• Issued
C-1,C-2
I-1,I-Z 400 30 G,W,P None Yes No No „ See Sec. 5.7
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JGl~11U1V ~CVU t.J
C/1 A
~ H W ~ x ~ U' W -~~A - C7 W U' AW W ~ Z ~ Z
~ H H H W H CA H _ U t~ ~ H H H H Z H H H-~_~ -II
p[ W H d H H H x H O H H H ((..cc~~ W N
H ~H d d H H x ~W++ W hy V Ul H ~ H H PG V' H
tT
~ C~ ~ H d ~c=. ~ H E-~ ~ U] rz cn r] ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A d O'W oG
W to W
~ PG ~
ion-residential Single Fam. 4 6 G,W,P, Behind Re-
Cdentification Residential PR,PA,M quired Set None.. No No No Permanent
Ba k Li e
Institutional All 30 20 G,W,P, Behind Re- None Yes No No Permanent
PR,PA,M quired Set
1 for each May be permitter
4partment Wall R - 4 50 None W None Street ~ Yes No No Permanent on Walls or Fen
fronts a in Re .Frt. Yarn
Property
R - 3 G,W,P,, 1 for each
Apartment R _ 4 20 6 PR,PA,M Line Street Yes No No Permanent '
Frontage,
Condo
None except o e or gee Sec. 5.4,
C -~1 50 Sq.Ft. fo 30 ~PAWMP~ Property' Ground for yes Yes Yes Permanent
General pole & Groun ' Line ach Street 5.5 & 5.6
Signs ~ronta e
Business G,W,P,R, 1 Pole or
Property Ground. for See Sec. 5.4,
C - 2 None 50 PR,PA,M, Line each Street Yes Yes Yes Permanent
5.5 & 5.6
Fronts e
' G,W,P,R,
Advertising C-1 & C-2, None 50 PR,PA,M 25 Yes Yes Yes Permanent :See Sec. 5.4,
I-1, I-2 5.5 & 5.6
Advertising R-1 / R-2 16 * 6 G,W,PA,PT 25 „ Yes No No Temporary
Advertising R-3 / R-4 16 * 6 25 Yes No No' Temporary
* liOME OCCUPATION SIGNS TO COMPLY WITH ZONING ORDINANCE AND MAY BE PERMANENT.
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SECTION 4: GENERAL PROVISIONS
(1) The standards and regulations specified in this SECTION shalli
apply to signs for which sign permits must be obtained under
the requirements of the City
• (2) All signs in all zoning districts shall be set back from
streets in accordance with the requirements of the City. N o s(ig h
shall be located within or project over any public right of wa y.
(3) No regulation or standard contained in this SECTION shall
apply to signs painted on or erected inside a window.
(4) The provisions herein contained are applicable to location,
size and placement of signs and shall otherwise be considered
supplementary to the City requirements and no provisions spec-
ified herein shall be construed to otherwise amend or nullify
any provision of any other City requirements or other regula-
tion pertaining to the erection, maintenance and operation of
signs in the City.
(5) Signs shall be permitted for all nonconforming uses in accor-
dance with the regulations and standards specified in this
SECTION.
(6) A sign in direct line of vision of any traffic control signal
from any point in a moving traffic lane within fifty (50) feet
of land approaching such signal shall not be permitted.
(7) No revolving beam or beacon of light resembling any emergency
vehicle light shall be permitted to be erected as part of any
• sign display in any zoning district nor shall any sign or
graphic advertising device be located or placed so as to ob-
struct the vision or sight distance of motor vehicle drivers I
or pedestrians at any street intersection, street crossing or ~
point of traffic concentration.
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(8) The area of a sign shall be computed by drawing a line or line
around the sign in such a way as to~form.not more than four (4
regular geometric figures such as a triangle, circle, rectangl ,
trapezoid or ellipse. The total area of these figures shall b
the total area of the sign. i
(9) A building permit issued for any sign pursuant to the Building
Code of the City, shall automatically terminate and become voi~
and of no effect upon the cessation, for a period of one hundr d
and eighty (180) aays to direct attention to an existing objec ,
product, service, place, activity, person, institution, organ-
ization, or business. Upon cessation of the Building Permit f r
any sign, such sign shall thereafter be and constitute a non-
permitted structure under and pursuant to the Building Code of
_ the City, and shall be subject to abatement and removal pursua t
to the provisions of such Building Code and the owner thereof r
the premises upon which such sign shall be situated shall be s b-
ject to fine and/or penalty as provided pursuant to the provisi ns
of the Zoning Code of the City and the Building Code of the City.
• * ALL REFERENCES TO "CITY" REFER-TO,THE "CITY OF RICHLAND HILLS,TE S".
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(10) All pole and ground signs shall not be constructed
~~~ithin 100 feet of another such sign.
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(11) Special Height and/or Area Signs - In order that
the City may develop in accordance with the intent and ~
• purpose of this ordinance and in order that substantial
justice may be done, signs may be erected which exceed ~
the height and area limitations shown in section 3 after
approval of the same as a conditional use permit in com-
pliance with the standard procedure for application there-
of, having due regard for the topography of the premises '
and the elevation of adjacent roadways. Any request for
such variance must be fully documented as to need by the
petitioner, and must be approved by the Zoning Board of
Adjustment.
(12) No sign or lighting permitted under these regulations ~
shall be authorized whereby such signs or lighting by reason
of placement, lack of shielding, noise generation or charac-
ter of operation would be objectionable to a person(s) resid
ing o n adjacent property and would interfere with the reaso -
able use, enjoyment or right of privacy on his property.
(13) All signs, together with all supports, braces, guys an
anchors shall be kept in repair. The Enforcement Officer ma
order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in acco -
dance with this section. Such removal shall be accomplished
at the expense of the owner or person in charge of the premi es.
Failure to comply with such order shall constitute a misdeme nor.
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(14) Temporary, unlighted political signs supporting an annc~unc-
• ed candidate, a party or an issue shall be allowed in any di -
trict and may be placed in any yard for a period of thirty ( 0)
days prior to any election. Such signs shall be removed wit in
ten (10) days after the election or run-off election to whic
the signs pertain or after the termination of candidacy, which-
ever occurs first. No sign shall be erected without permiss on
of the owner. In developed districts zoned R-1L, R-l, R-2, -3,
or R-4, no such signs shall have a height of more than three (3)
feet above grade and no sign shall exceed six (6) feet in he ght
and shall be limited to thirty-two (32) square feet each sid in
any other district. _
(15) No person shall place, erect or maintain, or cause the
placing, erecting or maintaining, of any sign upon any public
right-of-way or public area.
(16) No person shall attach or maintain any sign upon any p blic
utility pole or public structure or tree.
(17) No person shall paint-a sign or attach a sign, Qther t an
an identification sign to the outside of a fence or a wall.
(18) All signs shall comply with construction standards
contained within the Uniform Building Code, as adopted by
• the City.
(19) All signs shall comply with all electrical standards
contained within the National Electrical Code. _
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SECTION 5: SPECIAL STANDARDS FOR SIGNS
(1) The maximum sign area in square feet as specified
in the Schedule shall apply to only one sign face. How-
ever if the sign has more than one face, the maximum of
all faces shall be twice the area specified.
(2) The maximum sign area for one face shall be fifty
(50) square feet for each nonresidential use. The max-
imum sign area for building identification shall be five
percent (5%) of the total wall area facing the same direc-
tion as the wall faces upon which the sign is placed.
(3) Only one building identification sign may be permitted
for each street frontage. No standard is specified for
signs advertising nonresidential uses.
(4) All General Business signs in C-l, C-2, I-1, and I-2
zoning districts located adjacent to a Federal-Aid Pri-
mary Highway or separated therefrom only by a service road
may be constructed to have a maximum area as follows:
(a) Signs on tracts of land having freeway frontage
of between 0 and 99 feet shall have a maximum area of
up to 100 square feet for signs erected to a height of
20 feet. This maximum area shall be reduced 2.5 squar
feet in area for each one (1) foot of height which the
sign is constructed over 20 feet. Table (sal) shall
be used to establish the maximum area for signs on tra is
of land having freeway frontage of between 0 and 99 felt.
(b) Signs on tracts of land having freeway frontage o
between 100 and 199 feet shall have a maximum area of p
to 200 square feet for signs erected to a height of 20 feet.
This maximum area shall be reduced five (5) square fee in
area for each one (1) foot of height which the sign is con-
structed over 20 feet. Table (5bl) shall be used to e tab-
lish the maximum area for signs on tracts of land havi g
freeway frontage of between 100 and 199 feet.
(c) Signs on tracts of land having freeway frontage o 200
feet or more shall have a maximum area of up to 250 sq are
feet for signs erected to a height of 20 feet. This m xi-
mum area shall be reduced 6.25 square feet in area for each
one (1) foot of height which the sign is constructed o er
20 feet. Table (5cl) shall be used to establish the m xi-
mum area for signs on tracts of land having freeway fr nt-
age of 200 feet or more.
(d) Freeway frontage shall be determined by the Build ng
Official in compliance with the definition for same in this
ordinance, and with the help of a site plan which shal
clearly indicate said frontage which shall be submitte with
application for sign permit.
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SECTION S: (continued) Special Standards For Signs-Table
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TABLE• 5a1 5b1) (5c1)
N,ax. Area (Sq.Ft.) T;ax. Area (Sq~.Ft.) T:ax_ Area (Sq.Ft.)
NEIGNT TO Tracts of 0-99' Tracts of 100'-199' Tracts of 200' +
TOP OF SIGN Frontage ~ Frontage Frontage
20' 100. 200 250.
21' 97.5 195 243.75
22' 95. 190 ~ 237.5
23' 92.5 185 231.25
24' 90. 180 225. _
25' ~ 87.5 175 218.75
26' 85. 170 212.5
27' 82.5 165 206.25
28' 80. 160 200.
29' 77.5 155 ~ 19-3.75
30' 75. 150 187.5
3l' 72.5 - 145 181.25
32' 70. 140 175.
33' 67.5 135 168.75
34' 65. 130 162.5
• 3,5' 62.5 125 156.25
36' 60. 120 150.
37' 57.5 115 143.75 ~
38' ~ ~ 55. ~ 110 137.5
39' 52.5 105 131.25
40' - 50~. 100 125.
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(5) All General Business signs in e-l,c-2,I-1, L I-2 zoning districts
located adjacent to a Federal-Aid Prinary Nighvay or separated'';
• therefrom only by a service road u~ay be constructed to a maxim m
~ 1-,eight of 40 feet above either grade of ground level at the si e
or the grade of the limited access freeway, the latter to be deter-_
• mined by the Building Official_ The grade o ground elevation at
• the site shall be established at the highest point of ground e eva-
tion within 30D feet radius of the proposed sign.
(6) All General Business signs in rhopp~::g centers zoned for this
purpose shall be limited to one directory sign thirty (30) fee
naximum height except :here such sign is constructed on freewa
frontage in which case SECTION 5;5 shall apply. The maximum a'lou-
able sign area of each directory sign shall be calculated by a'lowing
an area of 30 square feet per tenant not to exceed 600 square eet
total. Said Lotal sign area may be divided among any number o'
tenants in any fashion.
(7) In addition to development signs permitted on-site, the follo~:ing
development signs may be permitted off-site:
(a) One additional pole or ground sign having a maximum area
of 200 square feet and a maximum height of 15 feet will _
be permitted per project to be located on_property .i
remote to the project site.
or
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(b) Up to four off-site pole or ground signs having a com~ined
maximum area of 20D square feet and an individual maxlimum
height of 15 feet will be permitted per project.
(8) Portable - Temporary signs may be' used for advertising, retain,
trade, services, political events, church activities and such Other
products or activities approved by the Ci_ty'Administrator.
(a) Signs are placed only on the premises where the sale/I'
activity is to take place.
(b) Placement must meet the requirements of sections (1),',(2),
(b),b(7) of "General Provisions of this Ordinance".
(c) Permits for portable signs will not be issued for a period
exceeding 1 year and are not transferable.
SECTION 6: VARIANCES
The board of zoning adjustment may on appeal from a decision of the
luilding official, vary the requirements of this ordinance in.instances where str ct
enforcement of these zegulations would cause undue hardship due to unique circums ances.
However, any variances from the provisions of this ordinance shall be granted onl~ when
t is demonstrated that such action will be in keeping with the spirit and intentlof
~e provisions of the zoning ordinance.
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SECTION 7: Nonconforming Signs
All signs, except portable signs, lawfully in existence on the
effective date of this ordinance, may continue to be used and.rep~air-
ed, but not altered or moved unless they are made to conform with ',the
• provisions of this chapter. If a nonconforming sign is removed o
destroyed, any new sign or rebuilding of the existing sign must cdn- _
form to this ordinance. Portable signs, existing before or after ',the
effective date of this ordinance shall conform to this ordinance.',
SECTION 8: Permit Required; Exceptions
(1) No sign shall be erected, relocated, posted, painted or
maintained and no advertising structure shall be erected re-
located or maintained, by any person without first obtai ing
a permit from the building official. Electrical signs s all
also require electrical permits under the electrical cod .
(2) No permit shall be required for the following type igns,
but such signs shall be subject to all other provisions f this
chapter:
_ (a) Real estate signs, not exceeding twelve squa~e feet
in area.
(b) Signs not exceeding one square feet in areal
(c) Temporary construction signs designating thelarchi-
tect, engineer or contractor and other facts relaying to
the structure under construction.
• (d) On-site directional signs not exceeding eigh~(8)
square feet in area, provided such signs do not ccpntain
advertising and are not used as such. Placement Qf such
signs must be approved by the building official.
(e) Political signs not exceeding sixteen (16) square
feet in area.
SECTION 9: Plans To Be Submitted By Applicant ~I',
The applicant for a permit under this article shall submit Mans
showing the sign location, size, type, height, construction mater,als,
area and such other information as the building shall require. WY'~en re-
quired by the building official, such plans shall be prepared by reg-
istered professional engineer or architect.
SECTION 10: Fee
(a) The fee for a sign permit shall be as follow
Area of Sign F e
Up to 100 sq. ft 1 .00
101 sq. ft. to 300 sq. ft 2 .00
301 sq. ft. or above 5Q.00
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(b) In case any work is started or proceeded with
prior to obtaining a permit the fee prescribed above
shall be doubled.- The payment of such doubled fee
shall not relieve any person from fully complying
with the requirements of all laws and ordinances.
SECTION 11: Expiration. '
A permit for a sign shall expire if the work is not started
within sixty (60) days, or not completed within one hundred twenty
(120) days after work is commenced, and a new permit shall be re- !I
quired before beginning or completing the work.
SECTION 12: Void Permits.
Any permit issued under this article shall be void, if it is
issued for a sign which conflicts with any provisions of this chapte .
SECTION 13:
Any person violating any of the provisions of this Ordinance sh 11
be deemed guilty of a misdeameanor and upon conviction thereof shall''be
fined in an amount not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200.00). Eac
day such violation is committed or permitted to continue shall const'tute
a separate offense and shall be punishable as such hereunder.
SECTION 14:
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portionof
this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional byany
court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a sepa ate,
distinct and indepedent provision and such holding shall not affect he
validity of the remaining portions hereof.
SECTION 15: All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with'the
provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION 16: That this ordinance shall become effective and be in fu l
force and effect from and after its passage and publication as required
by law, and it is so ordained.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 15th DAY OF October ~ lgg
APPROV D:
ATTEST: OR
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CIT SECRETARY ~