HomeMy Public PortalAbout14-16 Sign Regulations1st Reading: September 10, 2014
2nd Reading October 8, 2014
Public Hearing: October 8, 2014
Adopted: October 8, 2014
Effective Date: October 9, 2014
Sponsored by: City Manager
ORDINANCE NO. 14-16
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA, AMENDING CITY ORDINANCE 86-8,
LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, ARTICLE IX. CITY OF OPA-
LOCKA SIGN REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE PURPOSE AND
INTENT, DEFINITIONS, PROCESS AND PROCEDURES,
SIGNAGE DESIGN STANDARDS, SIGNS PERMITTED
ACCORDING TO LOCATION AND SIGNS POHIBITED
ACCORDING TO LOCATION; PROVIDING FOR
INCORPORATION OF RECITAL; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT
AND REPEALER; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, The City Commission of the City of Opa-locka desires to
amend Ordinance 86-8, Land Development Code, Article IX, Opa-locka Sign
Regulations; and
WHEREAS, on August 5, 2014, the Planning Council reviews an
Ordinance to amend the City Sign Regulations, in accordance with Article II Signs,
Section 3-19, of the Miami Dade County sign regulations from Section 33-82
through Section 33-121.27; and
WHEREAS, the City of Opa-locka worked in conjunction with the Corradino
Group to draft an amendment to Ordinance 86-8, the Land Development Code,
Article IX to create Sign Regulations for the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY ORDAINED BY THE CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA:
Ordinance No. 14-16
Section 1. The recitals to the preamble herein are incorporated by reference.
Section 2. The Land Development Code of the City of Opa-Locka, Ordinance
86-8, is hereby amended to create the Land Development Code, Article IX to create
Sign Regulations, as follows:
Sign Regulations
I. TITLE
This Ordinance shall be known as the "Sign Code of City of Opa-locka", Sign
Regulations.
II. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
The City of Opa-locka is located in Miami -Dade County with major transportation
thoroughfares including N.W. 27th Avenue, N.W. 22nd Avenue, NW 135th Street,
and N.W. 42nd Avenue. These corridors are the emphasis for development and
redevelopment in the City's Comprehensive Development Master Plan. The
standards set forth herein establish criteria for each type of transportation corridor,
tied to roadway classification. This provides a more consistent approach to
implementation of the code, as opposed to following zoning district boundaries.
III. PURPOSE AND INTENT
These sign regulations and requirements are the minimum requirements to promote
the public health, safety, comfort, good order, appearance, morals and general
welfare, to maintain a positive character and image for residential, business and
industrial areas throughout the City, to conserve the taxable value of land and
buildings, to protect the character and maintain the stability of residential, business,
and industrial areas within the city, and to promote the orderly and beneficial
development of such areas. The display of signs should be appropriate to the land,
building or use they identify and be adequate, but not excessive, for the intended
purpose of identification or advertisement.
Unless otherwise prescribed herein, signs placed on land or on a building for the
purpose of message display, identification or for advertising a use conducted
thereon or therein shall be deemed to be accessory and incidental to subject land,
building or use. With respect to signs advertising business uses, these regulations
are specifically intended to promote public safety, and avoid excessive competition
and clutter among sign displays in the demand for public attention.
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IV. DEFINITIONS
The following words and phrases are hereby defined as provided in this section.
Where there is a question as to the interpretation of a term, word, classification or
definition of a sign, the City Manager or designee (Director) shall make the final
determination on the term, category, classification, and/or definition applicable.
For the purposes of this Ordinance a sign shall mean any display of characters,
letters, logos, illustrations, figurines, costumed form, whether human or not, or any
ornamentation designed or intended, or used as an advertisement or
announcement, that directs attention to a particular product, commodity, or
business enterprise, or to indicate direction. Use of vehicles, equipment, inflated
balloons, lighting, or the like as an attention attractor or advertising device visible
from public or private streets, with or without a printed or written message or
advertisement, shall also be considered a sign.
Abandoned sign. A sign which advertises or identifies a business establishment,
product or activity, not legally established, has ceased, or which is no longer in
operation.
Advertising. Any form of public announcement intended to aid, draw the attention
to, directly or indirectly, in the sale, use or promotion of a product, commodity,
service, activity or entertainment.
Anchor tenant. For the purposes of this Ordinance an anchor store shall be
considered the major tenant/occupant/use of a building, property, and/or
development.
Animated signs. A sign which utilizes motion of any part by any means, including
wind power, or displays flashing, oscillating or intermittent lights, animated animal
figures or characters.
Automatic Electric Changing Signs. Electronic, LCD, LED type signs allowing
changeable copy by automated or mechanical means used to depict change of
light, action, create special effects, and messages for advertising purposes.
Referred to as ACS signs in the Miami -Dade County Code of Ordinances.
Awning/Canopy signs. Any sign affixed to or supported by an awning or canopy.
Such sign shall be considered a wall sign.
Banner. A temporary sign made of flexible, sturdy fabric or material and
temporarily fixed to a building or structure, or mounted in the ground. Such signs
shall include pennants, streamers, or other similar type signs.
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Billboard. A sign that advertises a commercial business, commodity, service,
product, or activity not conducted, sold, offered, or available on the premises
where such sign is located, the copy of which may be intended to be changed
periodically. Referred to as Class "C" signs in the Miami -Dade County Code of
Ordinances.
Box or cabinet sign. Any sign, the face of which is enclosed, bordered or contained
within a box -like structure, frame or other device, such box may be internally
illuminated, and mounted flush to the building fa9ade. Such sign shall be
considered a wall sign.
Brand identity. The registered corporate trademark of a business, either a logo,
logotype, color scheme, slogan, or designs which through consistent copyrighted
use have become identifiable with a specific business or institution.
Building directory sign. A sign listing the location of activities, services, addresses
and/or tenants within a building, incidental to the property it is located on, but not
intended to advertise the use in any manner.
Changeable copy sign (manual).A sign on which the message copy is changed
manually in the field through the utilization of attached letters, numbers, symbols,
and other similar characters or changeable pictorial panels.
Channel lettering sign. A fabricated sign of which the lettering and/or other copy is
customarily a translucent white or colored acrylic and which has internal
illumination within each individual letter and/or component to illuminate the face of
each individual letter and/or component. Such signs shall be considered wall signs.
Construction sign. A sign erected or maintained on the premises temporarily while
undergoing construction by an architect, contractor, sub -contractor, developer or
finance organization, or other type of affiliation with the construction, at which
location such individual is furnishing labor, materials, or services and bearing the
name(s) of same. Such signs shall be considered a temporary sign.
Copy. All wording, lettering, graphics, logos, trademarks, slogans affixed on a sign
in either permanent or removable letter form.
Directional sign/Informational signs. A sign which only conveys information or
provides direction, and is located and designed to be viewed on site by pedestrians
or motorists. Such signs shall include, but not be limited to, signs that depict
"entrance", "exit", "caution", "no trespassing", "no parking", "valet parking".
Directory sign. A sign, either freestanding or wall -mounted listing the location of
activities, services, addresses and/or tenants within a multi-tenant/use
development, incidental to the property it is located on, but not intended to
advertise the use in any manner.
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Drive-thru sign. A sign intended to display menu items for an establishment with a
drive-thru intended to be visible to the drive-thru patrons and not visible from the
public rights -of -way.
Entty feature(s).A combination of elements including signs, landscaping, and other
architectural elements placed to one (1) or both sides of a roadway or entranceway
of a property and/or development, either non-residential, residential, or mix -use.
Fagade. Shall mean the entire building wall including wall face, parapet, fascia,
windows, door, and canopy of an elevation of the building.
Flag. A piece of fabric, cloth, or sturdy material usually oblong, rectangular, square
or triangular attached at one (1) edge to a staff, pole or cord that is usually the
symbol of a nation, state, county, municipality, or civic organization or a corporate
entity.
Freestanding sign. A self -supported sign structure ground mounted and not
attached or affixed in any way to a building or any other structure.
Graphics. The use of illustrations, photos, logos, typography, etc. as a wall
treatment or as part of a sign either illuminated and/or non -illuminated.
Handheld Sign. Any sign held, suspended, or supported by an individual(s).
Illegal sign. Any sign placed, erected or installed without proper approval or
permits from the city, or not in compliance with the regulations set forth in this
Ordinance.
Illumination -external. Illumination of a sign face or graphic element from a shielded
light source that is not internal to the sign itself.
Illumination -internal. A light source concealed or contained within the sign which
becomes visible by shining through a translucent surface, letter or graphic image.
Inflatable/Balloon. A sign that is an inflatable structure and/or object of any size
which may contain a display of copy or not, and intended to direct attention.
Standard balloons with or without copy shall be considered an inflatable/balloon
sign.
Logo. A registered symbol, emblem, trademark or graphic device used as a badge
or identity, used by an organization or corporation to identify corporate property or
products.
Logotype. The use of a group of words or word which has been designed to create
a unique identity or trademark for an organization or corporation.
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Maintenance. The routine cleaning, painting, repair or replacement of defective
parts of a sign in a manner that does not alter the basic copy, design, size or
structure of the sign.
Marquee/Marquee Sign. A permanent roof -like shelter extending from part or all of
a building face, projecting from and supported by the building and extending
beyond the building wall, building line or street line. Marquee signs may or may not
project over the public right-of-way.
For the purposes of this ordinance a marquee sign shall be treated as a
changeable copy sign.
Mascot/Figurine/Costume Signs. Mascot/figurine/costume signs shall be defined
as any figurine, costumed form, whether human or not, used or intended to be
used as a commercial advertisement or announcement, that directs attention to a
particular product, commodity or business enterprise.
Memorial Sign. Sign which memorializes a person, event, or historical building or
object. In addition, memorial signs include plaques or masonry on buildings which
may involve the display of name, date of erection and use of building.
Menu board sign. A sign that is displayed immediately adjacent to the front entry of
a restaurant in which is displayed the published menu and corresponding prices of
the food and services provided.
Mixed -Use development. A development, site, and/or building(s) with multiple
uses of which there is a mix of residential and non-residential uses.
Monument sign. A freestanding sign where the supporting structure of the sign
face is architecturally and aesthetically integrated into the overall design of the
sign. The base of supporting structure is embellished to conceal all structural or
support members. The perimeter of said sign is landscaped to enhance the area
adjacent to the sign. Eighty percent (80%) of the base supporting structure shall be
in contact with the ground. The sign face should be solid and not intended to be a
pole type design.
Multi -story structure. A building or structure or portion thereof with two (2) or more
stories measured from grade, to include stories used for parking.
Multi -use /Multi -tenant development. A development, site, and/or building(s) with
separate unrelated business entities, each considered a principal use, such as, but
not limited to a shopping center, office building, and mixed -use development.
Murals: Any mosaic, painting or graphic art technique applied, implanted or placed
directly onto a window or wall and containing no copy, advertising symbols,
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lettering, trademarks or other references to the premises or to the products and/or
services offered for sale on the premises.
Mural advertising sign: Any mosaic, painting or graphic art technique applied,
implanted or placed directly onto a window or wall/which contains copy, advertising
symbols, lettering or other references to the premises or to the products and/or
services offered.
Nameplate sign. A sign indicating the name, and/or profession or address of a
person or persons residing on the premises or legally occupying the premises.
Neon sign. A sign using neon gas tubing as a light source.
Nonconforming sign. A sign existing within the city on the effective date of this
Ordinance or a sign existing in an area annexed to the City of Opa-locka, after the
effective date of this Ordinance, which, by, but not limited to, its design, height,
type, copy, sign area, location, use, structural support or other characteristics does
not conform to the requirements of this Ordinance.
Off -premise sign. A sign located or placed other than on the premises or property
of which the copy is intended.
Open house sign. A sign advertising and pointing toward the direction of a house
that is open for inspection for the purpose of selling said property. Such signs shall
be located on the property of which the copy is intended, otherwise, such sign shall
be considered an off -premise sign.
Parapet. The extension of the building facade or wall above the roof line.
Permanent sign. A sign intended for permanent use, without a permitted duration
period.
Pole sign. A permanent sign erected, supported, mounted on a pole or poles which
is wholly independent of any building or other structure for support.
Portable sign. Any movable sign not permanently attached to the ground or a
building.
Projecting sign. Any sign projecting more than 12 inches from the building fa9ade
that it is affixed to, or suspended from above and perpendicular to the building
fa9ade.
Public art shall mean publicly accessible original art that enriches the City and
evokes meaning. It may include permanent visual art, performances, installations,
events and other temporary works, preservation or restoration of unique
architectural features, ornamentation or details. It may also include the artist
designed infrastructure and structures. Public art may be classified as a sign, and
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should consider the site, its context and audience. Public art may possess
functional as well as aesthetic qualities; it may be integrated into the site or be a
discrete work.
Raceway signs. Signs employing a metal box or raceway which conceals the
transformers and electrical wiring necessary to operate the sign. The logos or
letters that make up the sign are attached to the raceway instead of to the building
facade.
Real estate sign. A sign that advertises the owner, or his agent, indicating property
which is for rent, sale or lease.
Reverse channel wall sign. Individual copy lettering or sign components that are
individually mounted directly on the wall having lighting concealed within the letter
or number so that the light reflects off the wall (i.e. reverse lighting), creating a
"halo" effect.
Roof sign. A sign erected over or on the roof, or extending above the roof line,
which is dependent upon the roof, parapet or upper walls of any building, or portion
thereof, for support.
Sandwich sign. A moveable sign not secured or attached to the ground. Such sign
shall be considered a portable sign.
Sidewalk Sign. Advertisement written, stenciled, or painted on the pavement of the
right-of-way, as well as sandwich signs, shall be considered sidewalk signs.
Sign Face. The portion of the sign of which copy is displayed, and shall not include
the base or foundation of the monument sign.
Sign Height. The vertical distance from the top of the grade to the top of the sign's
highest element, including all structural elements. Grade shall be construed to be
the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming,
mounding or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.
Sign setback. The distance between the adjacent property line to the closest part
of the sign structure.
Sign spacing. The distance measured in a straight line from the closest part of one
sign structure to closest part on another sign structure or building or structure,
except, that when measuring the spacing between signs on the different rights -of -
way the measurement shall be taken along the perimeter of the property line
and/or then taken perpendicular to signs located across such rights -of -way.
Spacing between signs and a building or structure shall be the shortest distance
measured from the closest part of the sign structure to the closest part of the
building facade.
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Sign plan. A set of plans depicting the proposed aesthetics, creative, and
dimensional standards for all signage within the property. Such plan shall be in
compliance with the regulations contained herein.
Slogan. The use of a group of words or word which has been designed to create a
unique identity or trademark for an organization or corporation.
Sign area for monument, and freestanding signs. The total square footage of a
sign inclusive of structural supports.
Sign owner. For the purposes of this Ordinance the owner/tenant/person(s)
responsible for the installation, erection, mounting, maintenance, and/or repair of
the sign shall be considered the sign owner.
Single use development. A development, site, or building(s) with one (1) principal
use. Such use may have related ancillary and accessory uses to the principal
uses, but together the uses are intended to operate as one principal use.
Snipe sign. A sign which is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise
attached to trees, poles, stakes, or fences, or to other objects with the message
appearing thereon not applicable to the present use of the premises or structures
upon which the sign is located.
Special event sign. A sign identifying a temporary event being held within the City
sponsored or approved by the City.
Spot/Search light sign. A strong, focused light, either stationary or in motion, with
the intention of attracting attention to the business, premises, activity or event.
Street frontage. The linear footage measured along the length of the property line
of a piece of property, as it abuts to the street right-of-way of a public street.
Frontage that abuts an alleyway shall not be counted towards street frontage
calculations.
Temporary Construction Fence Sign (TCFS).Signs affixed to, or integrated on
construction fences and walls, as such fences and walls may be required for
compliance to applicable regulations, and to shield and buffer construction sites
from public view. TCFS are intended to include certain information and graphic
material to identify, advertise, or draw attention to the proposed project.
Temporary Holiday sign. A sign that represents a recognized holiday, cultural
celebration or religious observance. Such signage shall include associated
decorations, lighting, and animation.
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Temporary sign. A sign intended for temporary use with a permitted duration
period.
Umbrella sign. A sign affixed to an umbrella, usually located outdoors.
Vehicle sign. A sign affixed to, contained within, or painted on a transportation
vehicle including automobiles, trucks, boats, trailers, and recreational vehicles for
the purpose of identification or advertisement, whether stationary or in motion, with
the primary purpose of calling attention to a business establishment, service,
production or event.
Wall sign. A sign installed or erected parallel to the facade of any building upon
which it is attached and designed to be in proportion to the architectural facade or
wall upon which it is fastened and not projecting or extending above the buildings'
roof or parapet line. Wall signs shall include all signs such as awning/canopy signs,
marquee signs, or any other similar signs, but shall not include signs defined
herein as window signs.
Window area. The window area of a storefront shall be the total square footage of
all glass areas of a storefront. This would include all areas of glass windows,
doors, side lights and transoms, fixed or operable, located on the elevation of the
building or storefront on which the front door or primary entrance to the
establishment is located.
Window sign. Any sign located within a window or upon the inside surface or
outside surface of the window glass used to attract such attention located within
the premises. Signs which are located within three (3) feet from the window
opening shall be considered a window sign. Such window signs shall include, but
not be limited to, signs indicating professional/financial affiliations, services and
products, menus/price lists, opening hours, and other similar type signs.
Window sign area. The total area of the imaginary rectangles contiguous to and
surrounding each word, picture, logo, logotype, symbol, banding or graphic, as a
percentage of the total ground or second floor window area of the premise as it
may apply in accordance to this Ordinance.
V. SIGN PLAN REQUIRED
A. Purpose. The purpose of a Sign Plan is to encourage diversity, creativity,
uniformity of all signs for more aesthetically pleasing development. Signage
shall be in compliance with an approved Sign Plan. Owners or their
authorized designee shall submit a proposed Sign Plan in an application
form approved by the City, with established fees, to the Director.
B. Approval Required. Unless otherwise provided in this Ordinance, approval
of a Sign Plan by the City shall be required prior to the issuance of a sign
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permit to install, alter, erect, construct, post, paint, maintain, or relocate any
sign.
The issuance of a Sign Permit is subject to a two-step process:
I. Sign Plan Approval With Community Development Department
II. Sign Plan Permit With the Building Department
It shall be unlawful for any person to install, alter, erect, construct, post, paint,
maintain, or relocate, within the municipal limits of the City of Opa-locka any
sign, unless otherwise exempt by this Ordinance, without first having obtained
a permit from the City, and/or have a valid permit for said work. Said permit
shall be issued by the Building Department only after determination has been
made by the Community Development Department that full compliance with
all conditions of this Ordinance have been met and complied with. Before any
permit is issued, an application for such permit shall be filed on a form
approved by the City with the established fee.
Applicants must obtain Sign Plan Approval from the Community Development
Department, per the process outlined in this ordinance. The Department, if it
approves the application, will issue a letter to the Applicant which then can be
brought to the Building Department to obtain a Sign Plan Permit.
C. Community Development Sign Plan Approval Process:
Sign Plan Inclusions. The Sign Plan shall include all signs to be
installed within the property, including any out parcels to be and/or
developed sharing common driveways and parking.
a. Submittal Information. In addition to all customary and required submittal
information required for permitting, permit applications involving signs
shall, at minimum, include:
(a) A drawing of the subject site showing the proposed sign location and
distance from property lines and from other signs on the site and
adjacent properties;
(b) A dimensioned elevation drawing showing the sign area
calculations, proposed sign area, height and other dimensions,
stress/wind load levels, and proposed illumination , areas of
changeable copy, if applicable; and
(c) Landscape plan indicating plant material and ground cover.
(d) All other information as may be necessary to fully advise and
acquaint the issuing department to determine compliance within this
Ordinance, the Florida Building Code, and other applicable codes
adopted by the City. This shall include the sign copy for each sign,
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Ordinance No. 14-16
including but not limited to logos, trademarks, etc., as well as the
type of sign, including, but not limited to, the type of lettering i.e.
channel letters or cabinet style, color, materials, changeable copy
area, etc.
2. Procedure
(a) Investigation/Time Limits
Upon the receipt of a completed permit application and upon
payment of the appropriate permit fee by the applicant, the City
Manager or designee shall promptly conduct an investigation of the
application, the proposed sign and the premises. The City Manager
or designee shall grant or deny the permit application within 30 days
from the date the completed application with application fee was filed
with the city manager or designee.
(b) Issuance or Denial of Permit
(1) Sign Plan Criteria. In reviewing the sign plan the City Manager
or designee shall determine if the following criteria has been
met:
(a) That the signage for the project is in keeping with the
overall architecture and character of the building
development, etc.
(b) That the signage for the project is designed to meet the
directional needs of the project for communication,
identification, way finding, regulatory and informational
messages in keeping with the overall architectural theme of
the development or project.
(c) That the signage proposed is legible, conspicuous and
easily readable.
(d) That the visibility and impact of the type of sign, number of
signs, design, size, method of, construction, illumination
and location of the proposed signs are in compliance with
the minimum standards of this Ordinance, and does not
adversely impact adjoining properties, or create a hazard
of health risk.
(e) That the proposed signage is consistent and not in conflict
with the intent and interests of the City of Opa-locka, as
stated in the policy adopting this code.
(2) If, after review and investigation as required herein, the City
Manager or designee determines that the application meets the
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(3)
requirements contained in this chapter and determines the
proposed sign will not violate any building, electrical or other
adopted codes of the city, including the provisions of this
ordinance, the city manager or designee shall issue the permit.
The City Manager or designee shall have authority to refuse the
issuance of or revoke any license or permit issued under the
provisions of this article if the application submitted shall not
comply with provisions in this article. In addition, the Director
shall have the authority to refuse issuance of permit approval if:
(a) The application for a permit contains a fraudulent
statement or misrepresentation;
(b) The activity licensed or regulated fails to deposit the
necessary and proper monies required by the applicable
ordinances or if the applicant owes outstanding monies to
the City...
(c) The activity advertised is conducted in an unlawful manner,
or in a manner which constitutes a breach of the peace or
a menace to the health, safety or general welfare of the
City.
(d) The proposed sign would violate any building, electrical or
other adopted codes of the City.
A copy of the report shall be sent by certified mail to the designated
return address of the applicant on the application.
(4) If the application is denied, the applicant may submit a corrected
application within fourteen (14) days of the notice of denial
without additional cost, and staff will review the corrected plan
within fourteen (14) days of receipt of resubmission. If the
applicant does not resubmit a corrected application within
fourteen (14) days of the notice of denial, a new sign plan
approval application and fee will have to be submitted, and the
City will have an additional thirty (30) days to review the new
application.
3. Appeals. The decision of the City Manager or designee to grant or deny a
sign permit is an administrative decision. Any person aggrieved by the
action of the City Manager or designee in the denial or revocation of any
permit or license shall have the right of appeal to the Zoning Board of
Appeals. Appeal shall be taken by filing a written statement setting forth
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the grounds for appeal with the Board within fourteen (14) days after
written notice of denial or revocation. The Commission shall set a time and
place for hearing the appeal and notice of hearing shall be given to the
appellant five (5) days prior to the hearing. The decision and order of the
Board shall be final and conclusive. Such appeal shall be submitted on a
form approved by the City and accompanied with a fee as established in
the City's Schedule of Fees.
A. Variances Whereas it is the attempt of this sign code to reduce the proliferation
of the number, size and types of signs, and whereas it has been determined that
less -obtrusive signs will ultimately lead to a healthier economy within the City of
Opa-locka, therefore no sign shall be permitted to be installed, altered, erected,
constructed, posted, painted, maintained, or relocated, contrary to the provisions
of this Ordinance unless a variance or waiver is approved by a majority vote in
favor of granting such a variance and waiver by the members of the Opa-locka
City Commission:
1. A decision to grant a variance must be in conformance with the following
criteria and procedure:
(a) The variance is limited to height and/or setback requirements.
(b) There is something unique about the building or site configuration
that would cause the signage permitted by this Ordinance to be
ineffective in identifying a use or structure that would otherwise be
entitled to a sign.
(c) The grant of a variance is not contrary to the plan and intent of the
sign code or any adopted redevelopment plan or policies, the
aesthetics of the area, and does not create a nuisance or adversely
affect any neighboring properties.
(d) The sign provides certain aesthetics, landmark recognition, or
public benefit that is in the best interest and general welfare of the
City, without detrimental impacts to the surrounding area.
2. A variance may be petitioned as set forth below:
(a) Complete an Application as provided by the Department of
Community Development with the established fee.
(b) Provide evidence that the granting of the variance or waiver is
consistent with the criteria set forth above for the granting of such
variance or waiver.
3. All variances to this Ordinance shall only be granted pursuant to the above
provisions, and after a public hearing. All variances may be conditioned on
requirements deemed necessary in granting said variance.
4. Any variance granted pursuant to this section shall become null and void if
a building permit for the approved sign is not applied for within 180 days of
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the written ruling from the Opa-locka City Zoning Board of Appeals. The
Director may issue an extension for up to an additional 180 days providing
written request with just cause and reason is provided prior to the
expiration of the original 180 day period. Additionally, said variance shall
become null and void in the event that a permit expires or is revoked.
5. All signs approved by this waiver process must be constructed and
installed as substantially in compliance with the information and plans
presented to the Opa-locka Zoning Board of Appeals both in writing and
verbally. Failure to construct or erect a sign substantially in compliance
with the information and plans presented shall render the variance null
and void, and any sign installed, erected not in substantial compliance
with the information and plans provided for the variance shall be
considered an illegal sign.
VI. SIGN PERMIT REQUIRED
It shall be unlawful for any person to install, alter, erect, construct, post, paint,
maintain, or relocate, within the municipal limits of the City of Opa-locka any sign,
unless otherwise exempt by this Ordinance, without first having obtained a permit
from the City, and/or have a valid permit for said work. Said permit shall be issued
by the City Manager or his designee only after determination has been made that
full compliance with all conditions of this Ordinance have been met and complied
with. Before any permit is issued, an application for such permit shall be filed on a
form approved by the City with the established fee.
The approval of a sign permit may require compliance with the
Florida Building Code, and/or other provisions of this Ordinance.
Signs required to comply with the Florida Building Code shall be
filed as a building permit under the City's established building
permit process and procedures.
A. Permit Duration and Extension.
1. Except for permits issued as part of a building permit which shall have
duration in conformity with the Florida Building Code, or as such other
duration criteria as may be otherwise set forth in this Ordinance, sign
permits shall expire within ninety (90) days from date of issuance.
2. If a sign permit shall expire, a new sign permit with established fee(s) shall
be required prior to any sign being installed, altered, erected, constructed,
posted, painted, maintained, or relocated.
3. The City Manager or Designee may extend such permit for up to a ninety
(90) day period with just cause and reason being provided by the applicant.
4. Petition for extension shall be filed with the City Manager or Designee on a
form approved by the City with the established fee for the extension
request. If a petition for extension is filed more than fifteen (15) days prior
15
Ordinance No. 14-16
to the expiration of the permit and if the extension is granted, the applicable
sign permit fee shall not be required.
B. Identification of Permit Holder Required. Each sign requiring a permit shall
have affixed on each sign the permit number of which the sign was installed,
erected, or mounted under, and the sign owner's name and address. For signs
not reasonably visible from ground level, such information shall be kept readily
available for inspection by the sign owner.
VII. GENERAL:
A. Permitted and Prohibited Signs, General Statement. Signs that are
specifically identified, defined, listed and/or otherwise authorized by this
Ordinance shall be permitted as set forth herein. Signs that are not specifically
defined, identified, listed and/or otherwise authorized shall be prohibited.
B. Compliance with Building Codes. All signs shall conform to the
requirements of the building, electrical, and other applicable technical codes,
except as may be otherwise provided herein.
C. Compliance with Zoning Codes. No sign shall be erected or used to
advertise any use or matter which would conflict with the regulations for the
district in which it is located or be in conflict with the use permitted under the
Certificate of Occupancy for the property.
D. Conflicts between Sign Ordinance Districts. Where overlaps occur in
Ordinance standards, such as at intersections, or in areas with different or
overlapping districts, the stricter ordinance standards shall apply.
E. Qualification and Certification of Erector. Where the erection of any sign
requires compliance with any Miami -Dade County technical code, the erector
of the sign shall qualify with the respective examining board.
F. Fees Required. No sign, where a sign permit is required with established
fee(s) shall be installed, altered, erected, constructed, posted, painted,
maintained, or relocated, unless the required permit fees are paid.
G. Responsibility for Sign. The owner and/or tenant of the premises, and the
owner and/or erector or benefactor of the sign shall be held responsible for
any violation of this Ordinance; provided, however, that when the sign has
been erected in accordance with this chapter, the sign company shall be
relieved of further responsibility after final approval of the sign.
H. Inspection. No sign shall be approved for use, unless the same shall have
been inspected by the Department issuing the permit, and no sign shall be
16
Ordinance No. 14-16
erected or used unless it complies with all the requirements of this chapter and
applicable technical codes. The holder of a permit for a sign shall request
inspections of a sign as follows:
1. Foundation inspection shall include method of fastening to building or
other approved structure.
2. Shop inspection shall include electrical and/or structural where indicated
on the permit and/or approved plan.
3. Final Inspection shall include structural framing, electrical work
identification of permit number and erector of sign, etc.
4. Additional inspections may be specified on the permit and/or approved
plans.
I. Maintenance. Every sign, together with its framework, braces, angles, or other
supports, shall be well -maintained in appearance and in a good and safe
condition, properly secured, supported and braced and able to withstand wind
pressures as required by the Florida Building Code or any other regulatory
code or ordinance in effect within City limits.
1. In the event that a wall sign is removed, all anchor holes shall be filled and
covered in a manner that renders the anchor holes non -discernable with
the wall within sixty (60) days of the removal of such sign.
2. All lights and luminous tubes illuminating a sign shall be maintained in
working condition. All replacement bulbs and lenses shall be of the same
wattage and color as the light it is replacing unless a change is required to
meet existing Code requirements.
3. All landscaping required and provided with monument signs shall be
properly maintained in appearance and good safe conditions.
4. Abandoned signs shall be removed within ninety (90) continuous days of
being abandoned, or all copy shall be removed with a blank sign face; or
shall be appropriately be covered shielded in a professional manner, no
sign face shall be allowed to be open or otherwise incomplete so as to
appear abandoned or in disrepair.
VIII. SIGNS PERMITTED WITHOUT SIGN PERMIT
The exemption from a sign permit shall not be construed to waive or otherwise exempt
compliance with the Florida Building Code, other provisions of this Ordinance, or other
applicable technical codes.
A. Signs Exempt from Permit Requirements. The following signs may be installed,
altered, erected, constructed, posted, painted, maintained, or relocated, without a
permit from the City or payment of a sign permit fee:
1. Traffic control and parking signs. Traffic control and parking signs required
by law, and/or safety design standards.
17
Ordinance No. 14-16
2. Authorized signs in rights -of -way. Signs installed in the rights -of -way by
authorized authorities as may be required by law or permitted otherwise.
3. Public safety and information signs. Signs installed on the property that
are required by law for public safety or information purposes.
4. Nameplate signs. Nameplate signs installed on residential property not
exceeding 2 square feet.
5. Safety, caution or no trespassing signs. Signs that are installed on the
property for the purpose of indicating a safety, caution, or no trespassing,
or other similar type message. Such signs shall not exceed two (2) square
feet in size, and may be posted on the building, fence or structure on the
property at eye level and may not serve any advertising purpose.
6. Memorial signs. Memorial signs erected by duly authorized public
authorities and in compliance with provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
7. Utility company signs. Signs erected by utility companies not exceeding
two (2) square feet, serving no advertising purpose.
8. Signs within enclosed buildings. Signs within enclosed buildings or
structures which are so located that they are not intended to be visible
from public or private streets or adjacent properties providing said signs
do not pose a hazardous or health risk.
9. Temporary holiday and national event signage. Temporary holiday and
national event signage provided said signage and decorations carry no
advertising matter and further provided that such signage is not installed
more than sixty (60) days for a single event and is removed within seven
(7) days after the event ends.
10. Special event signs. Special event signs approved by the city for a city
sponsored or approved special event.
11. Flags. Flags, subject to compliance with provisions set forth in this
Ordinance.
12. Real estate signs. Real estate signs for residential uses, subject to
compliance with provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
13. Political campaign signs. Political campaign signs, subject to compliance
with provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
14. Banner signs. Banner signs, subject to compliance with provisions set
forth herein. Banners and other decorative materials in conjunction with an
event conducted pursuant to a dedication, a grand opening, or a going out
of business promotion are permitted without a sign permit. Such banners
and decorative materials are not to be posted more than thirty (30) days
preceding the event, and are to be removed within seven (7) days
following the end of the event.
15. Inflatable/Balloon signs. Balloon signs, subject to compliance with
provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
18
Ordinance No. 14-16
16. Spot/Search light signs. Spot light signs, subject to compliance with
provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
17. Changeable copy signs. Changeable copy signs manual and automated,
subject to compliance with the provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
18. Change of window sign copy. Change of window sign copy provided such
copy is in compliance with the approved sign window plan and/or sign plan
subject to compliance with provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
IX. NONCONFORMING SIGNS/AMORTIZATION
Any lawful permanent sign installed, erected, prior to the adoption of this Ordinance that
does not comply with the regulations set forth herein, shall be removed or altered to
comply with the applicable regulations of this Ordinance within five (5) years of the date
of adoption of this Ordinance.
A. Amortization of Non -conformities. Legally existing signs that become non-
conforming as of the effective date of the adoption of this Ordinance shall
maintain legally non -conforming status for a period of five (5) years, with
exceptions as herein contained. At that time, all signs not in compliance shall
become illegal signs. It shall be unlawful for any sign owner not to be in
compliance with the following amortization provisions, with exceptions as herein
contained:
1. Within two (2) years of the effective date of this Ordinance, all owners of
legally nonconforming signs are required to prepare and submit to the City
a proposed Sign Plan in accordance to regulations herein.
2. Within three (3) years of the effective date of this Ordinance, all owners of
legally nonconforming signs are required to have an approved Sign Plan
in compliance with this Ordinance.
3. Within five (5) years of the effective date of this Ordinance, all legally
nonconforming signs and their supporting members shall be altered,
and/or removed from the property.
4. The City may deny the issuance of any licenses, permits, certificates of
occupancy, certificates of use, etc., to an owner if it is determined that the
amortization Ordinance is not being complied with.
B. Amortization of Non -Conformities in Newly Annexed Areas. Legally existing signs
in areas annexed by Opa-locka which become non -conforming as of the effective
date of the adoption of this ordinance, shall maintain legally non -conforming
status for a period of five (5) years from the date of annexation or from the date
of subsequently adopted changes to the ordinance as provided, whichever time
period is greater, with exceptions as herein contained. It shall be unlawful for any
sign owner not to be in compliance with the following amortization provisions,
with exceptions as herein contained:
19
Ordinance No. 14-16
1. Within two (2) years of the effective date of Annexation, unless
superseded by a new Sign Ordinance, all owners of legally nonconforming
signs are required to prepare and submit to the City a proposed Sign Plan
in accordance to regulations herein.
2. Within three (3) years of the effective date of Annexation, unless
superseded by a new Sign Ordinance, all owners of legally nonconforming
signs are required to have an approved Sign Plan in compliance with this
Ordinance.
3. Within five (5) years of the effective date of Annexation, unless
superseded by a new Sign Ordinance, all legally nonconforming signs
shall be altered and/or removed from the property.
4. The City may deny the issuance of any licenses, permits, certificates of
occupancy, certificates of use, etc., to an owner if it is determined that the
amortization Ordinance is not being complied with.
C. Exception for Monument Signs Along Collector Roads. Freestanding and
monument signs that were lawfully existing prior to October 1,2013 that do not
comply with the regulations set forth herein, shall remain legally non -conforming
signs subject to the following:
1. The total sign area and sign height does not exceed the maximum
allowable amounts as may be permitted under the regulations set forth
herein this Ordinance.
2. The sign shall be landscaped, repaired and maintained accordingly in
compliance with regulations set forth in this Sign Code. All landscape
requirements shall be met within five (5) years of the adoption of this
Ordinance.
3. If the sign is relocated; moved; or altered at a cost greater than fifty
percent (50%) of the assessed value of the sign; the legal non -conforming
status shall be lost and the sign shall be in required to be in compliance
with the regulations set forth herein this Ordinance.
D. Exception for Window Signs. Window signs shall be in compliance with the
provisions set forth in this Ordinance as outlined in the amortization Ordinance
below:
1. An owner of a window sign shall submit a window sign plan, consistent
and in compliance with the provisions of submitting a sign plan within
ninety (90) days of adoption of this Ordinance.
2. Window signs shall be in compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance
within one hundred eighty (180) days of the adoption of this Ordinance.
20
Ordinance No. 14-16
E. Exception for Temporary Signs. All legally existing temporary signs shall be in
compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance within ninety (90) days of
adoption of this Ordinance.
F. Exception for Billboards. This amortization period shall not apply to billboard
(Class C in the Miami -Dade County Code) signs that were lawfully erected on the
date of adoption of this code. These signs shall be permitted as legally
nonconforming signs. Said signs shall be subject to below provisions regarding
Maintenance and Repair of Nonconforming Signs.
G. Sign Plan Compliance. In addition to the amortization provisions herein,
whenever a sign owner desires to replace, alter, relocate a sign on a property,
and/or the repair and maintenance is not in compliance with regulations
governing same as specified in this Ordinance herein, a Sign Plan in accordance
with the provisions of this Ordinance shall be prepared and submitted. Upon
approval of the sign plan under this compliance provision, only the applicable
sign(s) shall be required to be brought into compliance. All other signs approved
on the sign plan shall be brought into compliance in accordance to the
amortization Ordinance specified herein.
H. Multi -tenant Sign Plan Compliance. When sign plan is required for multi -tenant
development, and an individual sign owner(s) seeks a sign permit for any type of
permanent sign, the property owner shall file a sign plan with the City in
accordance to the provisions set forth in this Ordinance within sixty (60) days of
sign permit being filed. Failure to file such sign plan within the prescribed time
frame, shall be a violation of this Ordinance by the property owner. The City may
review the individual sign permit(s) and issue a permit as warranted to individual
sign owner(s), and shall require future sign permits on same property to be in
compliance with the criteria set forth in this Ordinance herein for sign plan review,
and subject to sign permits approved on the property.
I. Maintenance and Repair of Non -conforming Signs. Non -conforming signs
shall be maintained in a safe condition and may be repaired and/or otherwise
maintained provided the sign structure is not moved, altered or replaced;
provided, that the cumulative costs of such repair and/or maintenance does not
exceed fifty percent (50%) of the replacement value of the sign. If so, the sign
shall be made to be in compliance with the provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
This provision shall apply to situations of necessary repair resulting from fire,
flood, explosion, wind, war, riot, or any other an act of force majeure.
J.
Memorial plaques, such as those of a non -advertising nature involving building
identification signs and building cornerstones when cut or carved into a masonry
surface or when made of a noncombustible material and made an integral part of
the building or structure shall be exempt.
21
Ordinance No. 14-16
X. SIGNAGE DESIGN STANDARDS
The following design standards shall be applied and complied within the design of all
signs, unless specifically set forth differently in this Ordinance.
A. Monument Sign Dimensional Standards.
1. Sign Area Monument Signs.
(a) In computing sign area, standard geometry formulas for common
shapes shall be used. Common shapes shall include squares,
rectangles, trapezoids and triangles. In the case of irregular
shapes, the total sign area will be the area of the smallest common
shape that encompasses the various components of the sign.
(b) For monument signs, the support base above grade shall be
deemed to be part of the sign.
(c) Only one (1) face of a sign is used for the calculation, provided the
two (2) sign faces are less than 30 degrees to each other and/or no
more than one 1.5 feet exists between them. Where the sign faces
are spaced greater than 1.5' apart and greater than 30 degrees
then each face shall be calculated towards the permitted sign area.
2. Sign Spacing Monument Signs.
(a) When measuring the spacing between monument signs the
distance shall be measured in a straight line from the closest part of
one sign structure to closest part on another sign structure or
building or structure.
(b) When measuring the spacing between signs on the different rights -
of -way the measurement shall be taken along the perimeter of the
property line and/or then taken perpendicular to signs located
across such rights -of -way.
(c) Spacing between signs and a building or structure shall be the
shortest distance measured from the closest part of the sign
structure to the closest part of the building fagade.
3. Sign Height Monument Signs.
(a) When measuring the height of a monument sign the measurement
shall be the vertical distance from the top of the grade to the top of
the monument sign's highest component, including all structural
components.
22
Ordinance No. 14-16
Figure -1 — Sign Area for Multi -Face Signs
FOR ANGLES GREATER THAN
30 DEGREES
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MONUMENT SIGN - PLAN VIEW
CALCULATION OF SIGN AREA
FOR MULTI -FACE SIGNS
N.T.S.
23
Ordinance No. 14-16
(b) Grade shall be construed to be the newly established grade after
construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding or
excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.
B. Monument Sign Design Standards. The City seeks to achieve uniform and
coordinated monument and freestanding signage within each development.
Coordinated signage is created by consistency in the sign size, type, copy area,
letters, location, color, and type of sign. In designing monument signs the
following standards shall be complied with:
1. Design.
(a) The monument sign shall be a freestanding sign where the
supporting structure of the sign face is architecturally and
aesthetically integrated into the overall design of the sign.
(b) The base of supporting structure shall be embellished to conceal all
structural or support members.
(c) Eighty percent (80%) of the base supporting structure shall be in
contact with the ground, but does not have to be a solid base. The
base supporting structure may be designed as multiple bases
provided that the overall base in contact with the ground shall be a
minimum of eighty (80%) percent.
2. Architectural design.
(a) Monument and other freestanding signs should incorporate
architectural elements from the primary building. Architectural
elements may include materials, textures, colors, shapes,
ornamentation or other features characteristic of a style.
3. Landscaping.
(a) A minimum of fifty (50) square feet of landscaping around the base
of the sign should be provided, or an amount and type meeting the
approval of the Director.
(b) Plant material shall be selected to complement and enhance the
sign, and a hedge no less than two (2) feet in height shall be
provided to buffer the base of the sign.
24
Ordinance No. 14-16
(c) Such landscape should be permanently irrigated with an in -ground
irrigation system or irrigated in a manner approved by the Director.
4. Illumination.
(a) Monument signs may be illuminated internally or externally.
(b) All internal illumination components shall be enclosed and shielded
from view.
(c) All external illumination components shall be shielded, buffered,
and concealed as to not be visible from the adjacent rights -of -ways.
(d) All illumination should be environmentally friendly and energy
efficient, which should include, but is not limited to, the use of solar
energy or other alternative sources of energy.
5. Setback.
(a) Monument signs shall be setback from all property lines a minimum
of seven (7) feet.
6. Spacing.
(a) Monument signs shall be:
(1) Spaced a minimum of ten (10) feet from any building.
(2) Spaced a minimum of twenty five (25) feet from another
monument sign.
7. Proportion.
(a) Monument signs should be proportionate in height and width at a
ratio of 1.0 to 1.5, in either orientation, however, the width shall not
exceed ten feet (10).
8. Height.
(a) Maximum height of monument signs shall be 15 ft unless otherwise
provided for.
9. Location.
(a) Monument signs shall not be located in the sight distance triangle.
25
Ordinance No. 14-16
(b) Shall not be located as to interfere with public alarms, signals, or
signs.
(c) No sign or support shall be placed in such position or manner as to
obstruct or interfere, either physically or visually, with any fire
alarm, police alarm, traffic signal or sign or any devices maintained
by or under public authority.
(d) Monument signs shall be orientated to be between 45 degrees and
90 degrees to the abutting right-of-way.
10. Sign Copy Single Use Development.
(a) Sign copy for single use development shall be limited to the primary
name of the business, trademarked logos and/or slogans, and
street address number. All other copy shall be prohibited.
(b) Copy should be identical on all faces of the sign.
11. Sign Copy Multi-use/Multi-tenant Development.
(a) Sign copy for multi-use/multi-tenant/mix-use development shall be
limited to one (1) primary name of the business or complex or
shopping center, and may list individual uses and tenants.
(b) Copy may include the business name, registered trademarks, logos
and/or slogans. One street address number per sign. All other copy
is prohibited.
(0 Copy should be identical on all faces of the sign.
12. Changeable Copy Sign Manual Standards. Monument signs with
changeable copy shall be permitted subject to compliance to the following
standards:
(a) The manual changeable copy portion of the sign shall be integrated
into the design of the sign. Such changeable copy portions of the
sign shall not be an "add -on" but rather must be fully integrated into
the sign.
(b) The manual changeable copy area shall not exceed thirty (30)
percent of the total sign area.
(c) Changeable copy shall be limited to advertising events, items and
pricing, announcements, specials, slogans directly related to the
26
Ordinance No. 14-16
sign owner. All other copy shall be prohibited. The changing of copy
on such signs shall not require a sign permit.
(d) Manual changeable copy shall not change more than once a day.
(e) Changeable copy shall only be permitted on monument signs.
Changeable copy on wall signs, window signs or any other sign,
are prohibited.
13. Automatic Changeable Copy Signs Standards. Monument signs with
automatic changeable copy shall be permitted subject to compliance to
the following standards:
(a) The automatic changeable copy area portion of the sign shall be
integrated into the design of the monument sign. Such changeable
copy portions of the sign shall not be an "add -on" but rather must
be fully integrated into the sign design.
(b) Automated changeable copy area shall not exceed thirty (30)
percent of the total sign area permitted for the monument signs.
(c) A maximum of one (1) monument sign with automatic changeable
copy per property/development shall be permitted.
(d) Automatic changeable copy on monument signs shall only be
permitted on properties/developments with a minimum lot frontage
of two hundred (200) lineal feet on an arterial and collector roadway
as defined herein.
(e) The minimum distance between monument signs with automatic
changeable copy shall be five hundred (500) feet.
(f) Incandescent lamps/bulbs in excess of 9 watts are prohibited in an
automatic changeable copy sign. Incandescent lamps/bulbs shall
not be exposed but shall be covered by translucent lenses or filters.
The automatic changeable copy portion of the sign shall be
equipped with an automatic operational night dimming device.
(g)
The following operating modes shall be prohibited:
(1) Flash: The condition created by displaying the same
message intermittently by turning it on and off, on and off,
with rapidity, or any other delivery mode that creates a
flashing effect.
27
Ordinance No. 14-16
(2) Zoom: The look or condition created by expanding a
message from a central point to its full size.
(3)
Stop or danger: Any signs which use the word "stop" or
"danger" or imply the need or requirement of stopping, or
which are copies or imitations of official signs.
(4) Any color combination of revolving or flashing light giving the
impression of a police, fire, or caution light shall be
prohibited.
(h) Automated changeable copy shall be limited to advertising events,
items and pricing, announcements, specials, slogans directly
related to the sign's owner. All other copy shall be prohibited. The
changing of copy on such signs shall not require a sign permit.
(i)
G)
Prior to the installation and use, all owners of monument signs with
automatic changeable copy shall file and record a declaration of
use, meeting the approval of the Director, on a form prescribed and
approved by the Director, which will govern the operation of the
changeable copy and contain penalties for abatement and removal
of the sign for violations of the declaration of use and the provisions
herein.
Automatic changeable copy shall only be permitted on monument
signs. Automatic changeable copy on wall signs, window signs or
any other sign, are prohibited.
C. Wall Sign Dimensional Standards.
1. Sign area wall signs.
(a) In calculating the area of wall signs, or window signs, individual
words or components (i.e. logos, trademarks, slogans, major
products, services, etc), may be considered separate signs only if
they are obviously disassociated from other copy. When signs are
enclosed in a border or highlighted by background graphics, the
perimeter of such border or background will be used to compute
sign area. The total area of components and copy shall be used to
determine the total wall sign or window sign area.
28
Ordinance No. 14-16
(b) When calculating the permitted square feet of the wall sign area, it
shall be calculated based on ten percent (10%) of the area of the
building fagade up to fifteen (15) feet in height, then the area shall
be increased by one and half percent (1.5%) for each foot of
building height above the fifteen (15) feet with the uppermost
measurement taken to the lowest part or position where the sign
will be placed.
(c) The building facade used towards the calculation shall only be the
facade the sign is proposed to be affixed.
D. Wall Sign Design Standards. The City seeks to achieve uniform and
coordinated signage within each development. Coordinated wall signage is
created by consistency in the sign size, type, copy area, letters, location, color,
and type of sign. In designing wall signs the following standards shall be
complied with Figure 0-2.
1. Design. Wall signs shall only be of channel lettering and reverse channel
lettering type and design, and cabinet signs shall only be permitted up to a
maximum of twenty percent (20%) of the total wall sign area and cabinet
signs shall only be used to display copy of registered trademarks, logos,
and/or slogans.
2. Multiple Signs. Where multiple wall signs with the same sign copy are to
be placed on different building facades for the same sign
owner/tenant/business each wall sign should be identical in design, save
and except the applicable maximum permitted sign area may be different,
and location of placement may be different.
29
Ordinance No.
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(c) Copy should be of all the same font type, however, lettering size
and type, colors, trademarked logos and slogans, common to the
business may be used.
4. Cabinet signs.
(a) If cabinet signs are used to display registered trademarks, logos,
and/or slogans, the cabinet sign shall be integrated as intended to
be viewed as one wall sign.
(b) A cabinet sign up to twenty percent (20%) of the permitted wall sign
area may be used to display a registered trademark, logo, or slogan
on a building facade, without the permitted channel lettering.
5. Location.
(a) No wall sign shall extend above the roofline except where an
exterior parapet wall projects above the roofline, in which case,
such sign may not extend above the top edge of the parapet.
(b) Wall signs shall not be allowed on a building facade abutting a
single family zoned or developed property.
(c) Wall signs shall be located as to not interfere with public alarms,
signals, or signs. No sign or support shall be placed in such
position or manner as to obstruct or interfere, either physically or
visually, with any fire alarm, police alarm, traffic signal or sign or
any devices maintained by or under public authority.
6. Proportion. Wall signs shall not extend beyond 7513/0 of the width of the
building facade or the tenant's proportionate share of the building facade.
7. Projection. Wall signs shall not project more than twelve (12) inches from
the building surface where it is affixed.
8. Sign Copy.
(a) Sign copy for wall signs shall be limited to only the primary name of
the business, major service and brands, or major tenant, and
registered trademarks, logos, graphics and/or slogans, directories.
All other copy shall be prohibited.
31
Ordinance No. 14-16
(b) Wall signs shall not contain more than three (3) lines of copy; when
a third line is used, one of the three (3) lines shall not be greater
than fifty percent (50%) the height of the line with the greatest line
height.
9. Proportion. Wall signs shall not extend beyond 75% of the width of the
building fa9ade or the tenant's proportionate share of the building fa9ade.
10. Projection. Wall signs shall not project more than twelve (12) inches from
the building surface where it is affixed.
11. Sign Copy.
(a) Sign copy for wall signs shall be limited to only the primary name of
the business, major service and brands, or major tenant, and
registered trademarks, logos, graphics and/or slogans, directories,
All other copy shall be prohibited.
(b) Wall signs shall not contain more than three (3) lines of copy; when
a third line is used, one of the three (3) lines shall not be greater
than fifty percent (50%) the height of the line with the greatest line
height.
E. Directional/Information Sign Design Standards. Directional/informational
signs are for the purpose of providing information and directions on -site to the
general public, and are not intended for advertising purposes. In designing
directional and information signage the following standards shall be complied
with:
1. Design. Directional/Informational signs may be freestanding mounted on
a pole type or monument type structure or of a type intended to be affixed
flush to or perpendicular to a wall.
2. Size. Directional/Informational sign shall not exceed two (2) square feet in
size. Except that along collector and all other rights of way,
directional/information signs shall not exceed eight (8) square feet in size.
3. Number. The number of directional/information signs shall be limited to
what may be deemed necessary and adequate to provide the directions
and the information being conveyed as may be approved by a sign plan
permit.
32
Ordinance No. 14-16
4. Setback. Freestanding directional/Informational signs for traffic control, or
to indicate "entrance" and "exit" shall be setback a minimum of five (5) feet
from any property line.
5. Spacing. Freestanding Directional/informational signs shall be spaced a
minimum of ten (10) feet from each other.
6. Height.
(a) Freestanding directional/information signs shall not exceed thirty 30
inches in height, measured from the base of the sign to the
uppermost point.
(b) Wall mounted directional/informational signs may be mounted at
eye level as to be visible to the general public and not intended to
be visible from the right-of-way. Except that along Collector and
other Rights of Way, such signs may be wall mounted as to provide
adequate visibility and directions as deemed necessary and as may
be approved by a sign plan permit.
(c) If suspended from a ceiling or structure minimum clearance shall be
9.0 feet from grade, or if over a vehicle driveway, travel lane
minimum clearance shall be 14.0 feet from grade.
7. Location.
(a) Directional/information signs may be located within the sight
distance triangle providing the sign is not greater than 30 inches in
height.
(b) Wall mounted directional/informational signs may be mounted on
walls, fences, or suspended from a ceiling or structure.
(c) Wall mounted or suspended signs may be parallel or perpendicular
to the building wall.
(d) Notwithstanding compliance with these standards, no directional or
informational sign may be located on the property as to pose or
create a hazardous or health safety concern.
8. Illumination. Directional/Informational signs may be illuminated internally
or externally. If illuminated externally all components providing illumination
shall be adequately screened or recessed as to be no visible from the
rights -of -way.
33
Ordinance No. 14-16
9. Copy. Directional/Informational signs shall only provide copy necessary to
provide adequate direction or information of which it is intended, and shall
not provide any advertising copy other than the name, logo of any
tenant/owner/occupant of the property.
F. Window Sign Standards. Window signs are intended to provide secondary
signage to allow for the day to day advertising and promotion of the business
and/or services, but not distract from the overall architectural
design/features/character of the building. For the purposes of this section a
Window Sign shall be those signs which are affixed to the window, as noted in
Figure 0-3. In designing window signs the following standards shall be complied
with (Figure 0-3 — Window Sign Calculation Diagram):
1. Design. Window signs shall be professionally installed and/or
professionally framed and may be affixed to or displayed within the
window area. Hand written copy shall only be used with white boards or
chalk boards. One (1) illuminated or neon window sign shall be permitted
subject to the sign area regulations herein. Automatic changeable copy
signs are prohibited as window signs.
34
Ordinance No. 14-16
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Ordinance No. 14-16
2. Area.
(a) For window signs located on the first or ground floor, the total area
of all signs affixed or displayed in the window shall not exceed
twenty (20) percent of the window area up to a maximum of forty
(40) square feet.
(b) For window signs located on the second floor or above the ground
floor, the total area of all signs affixed or displayed in the window
shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the window area up to a
maximum of twenty (20) square feet.
(c) In calculating the total permitted window sign area only windows
and doors facing a right-of-way and/or windows on the main
entrance of the building, and only those windows that are on the
ground floor shall be used for the calculation. Perimeter borders,
stripes and bonding are permitted but will count towards the
calculation of window sign area.
(d) Window Sign Area shall not be counted towards the maximum wall
sign area allowed. Temporary real estate signs as may be
permitted herein shall not be counted towards the overall maximum
sign area permitted.
(e) Illuminated or neon window signs shall be limited to a maximum
size of eight (8) square feet. Illuminated or neon sign areas shall
count towards the maximum sign area allowed.
3. Location.
(a) Window signs shall only be permitted on windows or doors located
on the first or ground floor and located on the second floor, and on
windows and doors on the fagade facing a public right-of-way or
commonly used as the main entrance to the premises.
(b) Window signs shall not be permitted on windows above the ground
in multi -story buildings.
(c) All window signs shall be located within the same 20% area as
depicted on the approved window sign plan.
36
Ordinance No. 14-16
4. Copy.
(a) Window sign copy may include business name, logos graphics, and
slogans, primary products and services, emblems of professional
and financial affiliations, hours of operation, and other similar
signage.
5. Display of merchandise. Display of merchandise in the window area, provided
that it does not press up against the window, shall not count towards the twenty
(20) percent for the size of a window sign, and shall be permitted as long as it is
kept in a neat and orderly fashion.
H. Entrance Feature Signs. Entrance feature signs shall be permitted on all
residential developments, and mix -use developments subject to compliance to
the following standards:
1. Number. One (1) entrance feature monument sign or two (2) entrance
feature wall signs.
2. Sign Area.
(a) A maximum entrance feature sign area of up to twenty four (24)
square feet for developments with less than one hundred (100)
linear feet of lot frontage on a right-of-way.
(b) Up to a maximum of sixty four (64) square feet for developments
with one hundred (100) lineal feet or greater of lot frontage on a
right-of-way. If two wall signs are used, the total area of both wall
signs shall not exceed the maximum area permitted.
3. Height.
(a) The maximum height of the monument sign shall be six (6) feet
measured from grade to the uppermost portion of the monument
sign. In the event the grade at the base of the sign is bermed the
measurement shall be taken from the grade at the closest right-of-
way line to the uppermost point of the sign.
(b) Maximum height of a wall sign shall be six (6) feet measured from
grade to the uppermost portion of the wall sign.
37
Ordinance No. 14-16
4. Separation.
(a) Entrance feature monument signs shall be separated from each
other by a minimum of two hundred (200) feet and from other
freestanding signs by at least fifty (50) feet.
(b) Entrance feature wall signs shall be separated by a minimum of
twenty five (25) feet of other wall signs.
5. Setback. Entrance feature monument signs shall setback a minimum of
seven (7) feet from a right-of-way line.
6. Location.
(a) Entrance feature monument signs may be located within twenty five
(25) feet of the entranceway, and shall not be located in the sight
visibility triangle.
(b) Entrance feature wall signs may be affixed to the perimeter
wall/fence/guardhouse of the development, and must be within
twenty five (25) of the entranceway.
7. Copy.
(a) Copy on entrance feature signs shall be limited to the name of the
development, developer's name and address street number.
(b) Sign copy shall be limited to no more than two (2) lines of text.
I. Directory Signs. Directory signs shall be permitted subject to compliance to the
following standards:
1. Number. One (1) directory sign shall be permitted for each multi-use/multi-
tenant building on the property.
2. Size. Directory signs shall be limited to three (3) square feet in size, and
lettering shall not exceed a maximum of three (3) inches in height.
3. Copy. Copy shall be limited to the names of tenants and businesses, and
suite or address number. All other copy shall be prohibited.
38
Ordinance No. 14-16
4. Location. Directory signs may be freestanding or affixed to the building
facade, and shall be setback at least twenty five (25) feet from a public
right-of-way.
J. Flags. Flags shall be permitted subject to compliance with all the following
standards and compliance with the United States Flag Code (36 U.S.C. 173-178)
which is hereby adopted and made part of this section by reference as if it were
set forth herein. Violations of the United States Flag Code shall be civil in nature.
For the purposes of this Sign Code, applicability of regulations regarding flags
will be on a per Master Site Plan basis, regardless of the amount of parcels
which compose the Master Site Plan.
1. For non-residential, multi -family residential, commercial and industrial,
and/or mixed -use development.
(a) Number. A maximum of one (1) flag pole per property shall be
permitted on properties with lot frontages of one hundred (100) feet
or less; a maximum of two (2) flag poles for properties with lot
frontages greater than one hundred (100) feet up to two hundred
(200) feet; and a maximum of three (3) flag poles for properties with
lot frontages of greater than two hundred (200) feet. No more than
three (3) flags shall be flown on one (1) pole, with a maximum of up
to three (3) flags per property or development.
(b) Size. Maximum flag size shall be forty (40) square feet. The width
of the flag shall not be more than thirty (30) percent of the length of
the pole to which it is attached.
(c) Height. Maximum pole height shall be thirty (35) feet or not more
than ten (10) feet above the roof line of primary building, whichever
is less.
(d) Location. All flags shall be flown on a ground mounted pole
designed and constructed as a flag pole, or affixed to a pole affixed
to a building. The pole shall be ground mounted and constructed
according to the Florida Building Code. If affixed to a building, the
pole shall be no longer than 10 feet in length. No rooftop flags are
permitted.
(e) Spacing. Multiple flag poles shall be grouped. They shall be located
a maximum of ten (10) feet from one another.
39
Ordinance No. 14-16
(f) Setback. Flag poles shall have a minimum ten (10) foot setback
from all property lines.
(g)
Copy. Only flags with copy that has been professionally printed
shall be allowed. Flag copy must be of a non -advertising nature.
(h) Maintenance. Flags and flag poles shall be maintained in good
condition as to not be flailed or weathered.
2. For single family residential uses, duplexes, townhouses, and other
residential uses.
(a) Number. A maximum of one (1) flag shall be permitted per property.
(b) Size. Maximum size of the flag shall be limited to twenty four (24)
square feet.
(c) Height. Flag poles shall be limited to no greater than five (5) feet
above height of the residence or up to thirty five (35) feet,
whichever is less.
(d) Location. All flags shall be flown on a flag pole either ground
mounted or on a pole affixed to a wall. Flags may only be located in
the front yard or rear yard only.
(e) Setback. Flag poles shall setback a minimum of ten (10) feet from
front property lines and five (5) feet from all other property lines.
(f) Copy. Only flags with copy that has been professionally printed
shall be allowed. Flag copy must be of a non -advertising nature.
(g)
Maintenance. Flags and flag poles shall be maintained in good
condition as to not be flailed or weathered.
3. Flags In Mass Prohibited. The flags permitted by this subsection shall not
be used in mass in order to circumvent this subsection by using said flags
primarily as an advertising device.
K. Memorial Signs. Memorial signs shall be permitted on all non-residential, mixed -
use, and residential developments subject to compliance to the following
standards:
1. Number. One (1) memorial sign per property.
2. Area. Memorial signs monument or wall type shall not exceed one (1)
square foot in size. Area of the foundation and/or base of a monument
40
Ordinance No. 14-16
type memorial signs shall not be calculated towards the permitted area of
the sign.
3. Location. Wall type memorial signs may be located on the building facade
but not at a height greater than six (6) feet, and located a minimum of five
(5) feet from any other sign. Monument type memorial signs may be
located on a base or foundation not exceeding thirty (30) inches in height,
and spaced a minimum of five (5) from other signs on the property.
L. Gasoline Service Stations. Due to the unique retail service of gasoline service
stations, in addition to all the standards set forth herein, the following standards
shall also be permitted subject to compliance to the following standards:
1. Wall sign. In lieu of locating a wall sign on the building facade, a wall sign
may be affixed to the canopy facade.
2. Monument sign. In the event the permitted changeable copy of up to 30%
of the monument sign cannot accommodate the pricing regulations
required by law, the changeable copy may be increased the minimum
amount for compliance.
3. Size. Wall sign on canopies shall be limited to up forty (40%) percent of
the area calculated as permitted for the building facade. Color schemes
unique to the registered brand shall not be included in calculating the
permitted wall sign area.
4. Gasoline Pumps. Signage on gasoline pumps may include customary and
required informational signage including but not limited to information and
data required by law, price, and credit card logos. Up to a total of four (4)
square feet of logos and brand identity signage shall be permitted to be
located on each gasoline pump. Signs, other than required by law, located
on top of pumps shall be prohibited.
5. Prohibited. Banners, either on or otherwise mounted/placed on/with or
connected to pumps shall be prohibited.
M. Theaters, Playhouses, and Other Similar Cultural or Civic Establishments.
Due to the changing nature and number of events or showings theaters,
playhouses, and other culturally orientated establishments may be permitted an
additional changeable copy signage. In addition, to standards set forth in this
Ordinance, the following standards shall be permitted subject to compliance to
the following:
41
Ordinance No. 14-16
1. Number. Theaters, playhouses and other culturally orientated
establishments shall be permitted up to three (3) changeable copy signs.
An additional and optional changeable display for ticket pricing shall be
allowed if the ticket office can be accessed directly from a sidewalk right-
of-way, and must be adjacent to or above the ticket office window.
2. Sign Area.
(a) Changeable copy area shall be limited to up to seventy five (75)
square feet. Multiple screen theaters may be permitted additional
changeable copy not to exceed twenty-five (25) square feet per
additional screen greater than three (3), but not to exceed a total
sign square footage of two hundred (200) square feet of sign area.
Total area shall include the area of the changeable copy and the
area of any poster display boxes or frames.
(b) Box office changeable copy sign area shall not exceed the size of
the ticket box window with which it is associated.
3. Wall Sign. The changeable copy sign may be a cabinet wall sign allowing
for interchangeable copy, but shall only be affixed to the front building
fagade, or facade of the main entrance.
4. Display Box. Posters and other advertisements shall be only affixed within
a professionally constructed display box or frame. Display boxes shall not
exceed standard poster sizes.
5. Marquees. For the purpose of counting signs, each face of a marquee
shall count as a sign. Marquee signs must be fifteen (15) feet from right -of
way, and at least five (5) feet from interior side property line. Maximum
height is thirty (30) feet from the average grade of the right of way to the
top of the sign.
6. Copy. Changeable sign copy shall be limited to the title of the performance
and the MPAA rating. Display box copy shall be limited to posters.
N. Drive-Thru Menu Board Signs. Due to the unique retail service that restaurants
operating drive through lanes provide and the necessity for efficient and effective
service and the need for additional signage with changeable copy to service their
customers, restaurants with drive through lanes, in addition to signage that may
be permitted with compliance with standards in this Ordinance herein, shall be
permitted additional signage subject to compliance to the following standards:
42
Ordinance No. 14-16
1. Number. Two (2) menu board signs shall be permitted per drive through
lane. Drive through signs may be freestanding or affixed to a wall or one of
each.
2. Size. Each drive through menu sign shall not exceed twenty (20) square
feet in area. Lettering used in the copy shall not exceed six (6) inches in
height.
3. Spacing. Each drive through menu sign shall be spaced at minimum of ten
feet (10) from each other, and from other freestanding signs on the
property.
4. Height. Freestanding and signs affixed to a wall shall be not exceed six (6)
feet in height.
5. Location. Drive through menu signs shall be located as to be visible for the
drive through lane and not intentionally orientated to be visible for rights -
of -way, or drive aisles of the development.
Copy. Copy shall be limited to the menu items, pricing, specials, and
graphics/pictures typical of restaurant menus. Menu board signs may be
all changeable copy. All other copy shall be prohibited.
O. Public Art. Mural signs located within the City of Opa-Locka shall be permitted,
subject to the following conditions:
1. Compliance with Zoning Regulations. Mural signs shall be subject to
zoning rules in determination of permitted uses.
(a) Murals and other forms of Public Arts with no advertising materials
shall be subject to oversight by Public Arts Ordinances adopted by
the City of Opa-Locka and to compliance with provisions set forth in
this Ordinance.
(b) The City Commission or a designated arts commission.
Determination of adherence to Public Arts ordinances for Mural
signs of a non -advertising nature shall fall under the jurisdiction by
the City Commission or a designated arts commission.
2. Mural advertising signs are expressively prohibited.
3. Murals shall only be placed on blank walls.
4. A mural sign shall be permitted to cover the entire blank portion of a wall
of a building.
43
Ordinance No. 14-16
5. Illumination of mural signs shall be limited to the hours of 6 pm to
midnight.
XI. SIGNAGE ALONG PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL AND MINOR ARTERIAL CORRIDORS
(PAMA)
The signs permitted on property is determined by the property's location on the City's
rights -of -way as defined on the City of Opa-locka Roadway Classification Map, and
determined by the type of use of the property. In addition to applicable criteria and
design standards set forth in this Ordinance, the following signs standards shall be
applicable in Principal and Minor Arterial Corridors, as set forth below. Where overlaps
occur with Districts, the Corridor, and PAMA in Ordinance standards, the stricter
ordinance standards shall apply.
A. Monument Signs (PAMA).Monument signs on properties with frontage on a
principal arterial or minor arterial right-of-way shall (Figure 0-4 - Monument
Signs on PAMA) conform to the following standards where applicable:
1. Number.
(a) One (1) monument sign on properties with a minimum linear lot
frontage of fifty (50) or more feet on a public right-of-way.
(b) Monument signs are not permitted on properties with less than 50
linear feet of lot frontage on a right-of-way.
(c) A second monument sign may be allowed if the property has two
(2) lot frontages of fifty (50) linear feet or more on a right-of-way
or if the property has five hundred (500) feet or more of linear lot
frontage on one right-of-way. In any event, a maximum of two (2)
signs shall be permitted.
2. Sign area.
(a) Forty (40) square feet for the first fifty (50) feet of lot frontage on a
street, plus 0.75 square feet for each additional foot of lot
frontage, up to a maximum of one hundred fifty (150) square feet
total for one (1) sign.
(b) Where two (2) signs may be permitted each sign shall not exceed
one hundred fifty (150) square feet, for total of three hundred
(300) square feet.
3. Sign Height. Fifteen (15) feet..
44
Ordinance No. 14-16
B. Wall Signs (PAMA). Wall signs on properties with frontage on a principal arterial
or minor arterial right-of-way shall conform to the following standards where
applicable:
1. Number.
(a) One (1) wall sign per building facade with frontage on a right-of-
way, up to a maximum of two (2) wall signs. In lieu of a wall sign
on the building facade with frontage on a right-of-way one (1) wall
sign may be located on the building facade if such building facade
faces into the parking area and is not abutting single family
residentially developed property.
(b) If permitted a second wall sign, the second sign shall be identical
copy, color, illumination method and method of construction. Each
sign's size will be determined independently based on the fagade
frontage.
(c) All buildings that have access from an alley or drive aisle may
have one (1) non -illuminated identity sign, located on the rear
door of the building not to exceed three (3) square feet in sign
area, and not located higher than eight (8) feet above grade.
2. Size.
(a) The total area of the wall sign shall not exceed ten percent (10%)
of the building facade with frontage on a right-of-way for the first
fifteen (15) feet in height of the building, then the area may be
increased by 1.5 percent for each foot of building height
measured from the base of the building above grade to the
bottom of where the sign is located, up to a maximum of two
hundred (200) square feet for buildings with up to one hundred
(100) feet of building facade with frontage on a right-of-way.
(b) Up to four hundred (400) square feet for buildings with more than
one hundred (100) feet of building facade with frontage on a right-
of-way.
C. Window Signs (PAMA). Window signs on properties with frontage on a principal
arterial or minor arterial right-of-way shall follow the standards, where applicable in
accordance with Window Sign design standards as set forth in this Ordinance.
45
Ordinance No. 14-16
Figure 0-4 - Monument Signs on PAMA
I'-6"
10' MIN.
ALL INTERNAL AND/OR EXTERNAL SIGN
ILLUMINATION SHALL BE ENCLOSED, SHIELDED,
BUFFERED AND/OR CONCEALED AS TO NOT BE
VISIBLE FROM ADJACENT RIGHT-0E-WAYS.
SPACED MORE THAN 25 FEET FROM ANY OTHER
MONUMENT SIGN.
•
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10' MIN.
50 SF. MIN. LANDSCAPING
W/ 2' MIN. HT HEDGE
15' MAX. HEIGHT FOR ALL, EXCEPT
20' MAX. ALLOWABLE FRONTING PALMETTO EXPWY ONLY
ORIENTED
BETWEEN
45A0 DEGREES
OF ROW
10' MAX. WIDTH 7' MIN.
MONUMENT SIGN - PLAN VIEW
PRINCIPAL AND MINOR ARTERIAL R.O.W.
SINGLE USE
N.T.S.
"NOTE: 80% OF THE BASE SHALL BE IN CONTACT
WITH THE GROUND: SIGN AREA SHALL INCLUDE
BASE/FOUNDATION AND SHALL NOT EXCEED A
MAXIMUM WIDTH OF 10 FEET MONUMENT
SIGNS SHOULD BE PROPORTIONATE IN HEIGHT
AND WIDTH AT A RATIO OF 1 TO 1.5
MAX. WIDTH
R.O.W.
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SIGN AREA
FOR ALL: 150 SQUARE FEET
FRONTING PALMETTO: 200 SQUARE FEET
AUTOMATIC CHANGING OR
CHANGEABLE COPY
MAX. AREA: 30% OF SIGN AREA
SIGN BASE"
2' MIN. HEDGE
4 n n n n
7' MIN. R.O.W.
R
MONUMENT SIGN - ELEVATION
PRINCIPAL AND MINOR ARTERIAL R.O.W.
N.T.S.
7
46
Ordinance No. 14-16
D. Multi-Use/Multi-Tenant/Mix-Use Development (PAMA). In addition to the
monument design standards, multi-use/multi-tenant/mixed-use developments
along Principal and Minor Arterials shall comply with the following standards where
applicable:
1. Number.
(a) For one (1) and two (2) story buildings one (1) wall sign per
tenant's/use proportionate share of building facade with frontage
on a right-of-way, as well as one (1) additional wall type sign
located at the rear or side of a building facade if such building
facade faces into the parking area and is not abutting single
family residentially developed property.
(b) Tenants/uses that have two (2) facades fronting a right-of-way
may have two (2) wall signs. The second sign shall be identical
copy, color, illumination method and method of construction. Each
sign's size will be determined independently based on the
proportionate share of frontage of the facade for each tenant/use.
(c) For buildings with three (3) or more stories one (1) wall sign per
building facade with frontage facing a right -or -way, up to a
maximum of two (2) wall signs. In lieu of a wall sign on the
building facade with frontage on a right-of-way, one (1) wall sign
may be located on the building facade that faces into the parking
area, provided that such sign is not abutting single family
residences or single family residentially zoned property. The
second sign shall be identical copy, color, illumination method and
method of construction. Each sign's size will be determined
independently based on the facade frontage.
(d) Wall signs located on second story building facades shall be
permitted up to 50% of the sign area as would be permitted on the
ground floor building facade.
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Ordinance No. 14-16
E. Directory Signs (PAMA). Directory signs shall comply with the design standards
set forth in the other sections of this Ordinance.
XII. SIGNAGE ALONG COLLECTOR ROADS
Signage onproperties with frontage rights -of -way other than arterial right-of-ways
(Figure 0-5 — Monument Signs) shall conform to the following standards where
applicable. Where overlaps occur with Districts, PAMA, and the collector roads
provisions of this section in Ordinance standards, the stricter ordinance standards shall
apply.
A. Monument Signs Collector Roads.
1. Number. One (1) monument sign on properties with a minimum linear lot
frontage of fifty (50) or more feet on a public right-of-way. Monument signs
are not permitted on properties with less than 50 linear feet of lot frontage
on a right-of-way.
2. Sign Area. Twenty four (24) square feet for first fifty (50) feet of lot
frontage on a street, plus 0.5 square feet for each additional foot of
frontage, up to a maximum of fifty four (54) square feet.
3. Multi-Use/Multi-Tenant Development. A second freestanding sign may be
allowed if the site has more than five hundred (500) feet of street frontage.
The maximum size of each sign shall be 54 square feet for a total of 108
square feet.
4. Height. Six (6) feet maximum.
B. Wall Signs Collector Roads.
1. Design Standards. In designing wall signs the following standards shall
be complied with:
(a) Design. Wall signs shall be comprised of channel lettering and
reverse channel lettering type and design, cabinet signs. Other
wall types of wall signs may be permitted in accordance with an
approved sign plan, so long as they are consistent with the sign
plan.
(b) Multiple Signs. Where multiple wall signs with the same sign copy
are to be placed on different building facades for the same sign
owner/tenant/business, each wall sign should be identical in design,
48
Ordinance No. 14-16
save and except the applicable maximum permitted sign area may
be different, and location of placement may be different.
(c) Cabinet signs and other type signs.
If cabinet signs or other type of signs are used to display registered
trademarks, logos, slogans, the sign shall be integrated as intended
to be viewed as one wall sign.
(d) Location.
No wall sign shall extend above the roofline except where an
exterior parapet wall projects above the roofline, in which case,
such sign may not extend above the top edge of the parapet.
Wall signs shall not be allowed on a building facade abutting a
single family zoned or developed property.
Wall signs shall be located as to not interfere with public alarms,
signals, or signs. No sign or support shall be placed in such
position or manner as to obstruct or interfere, either physically or
visually, with any fire alarm, police alarm, traffic signal or sign or
any devices maintained by or under public authority.
2. Number.
(a) One (1) wall sign per building facade with frontage on a right -or -
way, up to a maximum of two (2) wall signs. In lieu of a wall sign on
the building facade with frontage on a right-of-way one (1) wall sign
may be located on the building facade if such building facade faces
into the parking area and is not abutting single family residentially
developed property.
(b) If a second wall sign is permitted, the second sign shall be identical
copy, color, illumination method and method of construction to the
first sign. Each sign's size will be determined independently based
on the facade frontage.
3. Size.
(a) The total area of the wall sign shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of
the building facade with frontage on a right-of-way for the first
fifteen (15) feet in height of the building, then the area may be
increased by 1.5 percent for each foot of building height measured
49
Ordinance No. 14-16
to the bottom of where the sign is located, up to a maximum of two
hundred (200) square feet for buildings with up to one hundred
(100) feet of building fa9ade with frontage on a right-of-way.
(b) Up to four hundred (400) square feet for buildings with more than
one hundred (100) feet of building fa9ade with frontage on a right-
of-way.
C. Window Signs Collector Roads. Window signs shall comply with the design
standards set forth in the other sections of this Ordinance.
XIII. SIGNAGE IN HISTORICAL DISTRICTS AND/OR FOR HISTORICAL BUILDINGS
a. Signage on historical building and/or in designated historical districts, if
applicable, shall follow other sign standards as denoted in this ordinance,
with the following exceptions: Font and Color. Content of the signage shall
be restricted in font and color style to those appropriate to the architectural
features of the building.
b. Size. The size of the signage shall be restricted so as to not detract from
the architectural or historic aspects of the building.
c. Determination. Determination of compliance of the above shall be
determined via certification by the City's Board of Architects.
d. City of Opa-Locka Moorish Architecture Motif. Signage of buildings
designated as Arabian Motifs shall follow the approval procedures outlined
in Section 6-14 (City of Opa-Locka Arabian Motif Architectural
Regulations).
XIV. SIGNAGE IN THE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (TOD)
Signage in the Transit Oriented Development District shall comply with standards set
forth in this Ordinance. Permissible uses of these signs shall be subject to regulations in
this Ordinance as well as the zoning code for the Transit Oriented Development District.
A. Sandwich signs shall only be permitted in a Transit Oriented Development Zone,
subject the following conditions:
a. Signs must be related to a food service establishment, and shall be placed
within 2 feet of the entrance of the establishment advertised on the sign
b. Sign shall be immediately adjacent to the building, and not placed as to
cause an obstruction in the middle of the sidewalk right-of-way.
c. Signs shall be no more than 2.5 feet in width
50
Ordinance No. 14-16
d. Signs may only be placed in areas where the sidewalk right-of-way is at
least 10 ft. in width.
XV. SIGNAGE IN THE MAGNOLIA NORTH REDEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ZONE
Signage in the Magnolia North Redevelopment Overlay Zone shall comply with
standards set forth in this Ordinance. Permissible uses of these signs shall be subject to
regulations in this Ordinance.
XVI. MIXED -USE OVERLAY DISTRICT
Signage in the Mixed -Use Overlay Zone shall comply with standards set forth in this
Ordinance. Permissible uses of these signs shall be subject to regulations in this
Ordinance.
XVII. RESERVED
XVIII. TEMPORARY SIGNS
Temporary signs are permitted in the City for duration of time depending on the type of
sign. Failure to remove a temporary sign within the permitted time -frame shall result in a
violation of this Ordinance. Temporary signs shall be permitted subject to compliance to
the following provisions:
A. Construction Signs. One (1) development/project sign plus one (1) for each
architect, contractor, sub -contractor, developer or finance organization at which
location such individual is furnishing labor, materials, or services trade, financial
institution, or sponsor.
1. Sign Area. Each sign shall not be greater than thirty two (32) square feet;
however, the total sign area of all construction signs shall not exceed 256
square feet. Only the sign face shall be counted toward the maximum sign
area allowed. There is no sign size limit if the sign is painted on an
approved construction shed/trailer.
2. Sign Height. Maximum sign height shall be ten (10) feet, measured from
the base of sign to the uppermost portion of the sign.
3. Duration. All construction signs shall be removed within fifteen (15) days
after the certificate of occupancy for the structure is issued.
51
Ordinance No. 14-16
Figure o-5 — Monument Signs
- 50 SF. MIN. LANDSCAPING
W/ 2' MIN. HT HEDGE
1'-6"
6' MAX. HEIGHT
r
ORIENTED
BETWEEN
45-90 DEGREES
OF ROW '
10' MIN...... 7' MIN.
ALL INTERNAL AND/OR EXTERNAL SIGN
ILLUMINATION SHALL BE ENCLOSED, SHIELDED,
BUFFERED AND/OR CONCEALED AS TO NOT BE
VISIBLE FROM ADJACENT RIGHT-OF-WAYS.
SPACED MORE THAN 25 FEET FROM ANY OTHER
MONUMENT SIGN.
MAX. WIDTH
MONUMENT SIGN - PLAN VIEW
COLLECTOR AND ALL OTHER R.O.W.
SINGLE USE
N.T.S.
SIGN AREA
54 SF MAX.
10' MIN. MAX. WIDTH
' NOTE: BO% OF THE BASE SHALL BE IN CONTACT
WITH THE GROUND; SIGN AREA SHALL INCLUDE
BASE/FOUNDATION AND SHALL NOT EXCEED A
MAXIMUM WIDTH OF 10 FEET. MONUMENT
SIGNS SHOULD BE PROPORTIONATE IN HEIGHT
AND WIDTH AT A RATIO OF I TO 1.5
2 SIGNS MAY BE PERMITTED FOR FRONTAGES
GREATER THAN 5OO LINEAR FEET ONLY FOR
MULTI-USE/MULTI-TENANT.
R.O.W.
AUTOMATIC CHANGING OR
CHANGEABLE COPY
MAX. AREA; 30% OF SIGN AREA
SIGN W.F.
2' MIN. HEDGE
7'MIN. R.O.W.
F
MONUMENT SIGN - ELEVATION
COLLECTOR AND ALL OTHER R.O.W.
SINGLE USE AND MULTI-USE/MULTI-TENANT
N.T.S.
52
Ordinance No. 14-16
4. Permit. A sign permit shall not be required for a construction sign. The
exemption from a sign permit shall not be construed to waive or otherwise
exempt compliance with the Florida Building Code, or other provisions of
this Ordinance.
B. Temporary Construction Fence Sign (TCFS).Temporary Construction Fence
Signs (TCFS) shall be permitted subject to compliance with the following:
1. Location. Temporary Construction Fence Signs are permitted in all zoning
districts. Such signs must be located on -site for real estate development
projects, specifically at the construction site. Building permits must be
issued for construction of the project in question prior to the construction
or placement a TCFS. TCFS shall only be permitted along lot frontages on
public rights -of -way.
2. Setbacks. The minimum setback for Temporary Construction Fence signs
should be five (5) feet from the front property line or any right-of-way line,
or shall meet the minimum standards for compliance with other applicable
regulations.
3. Landscape. Landscape should be provided within the five (5) foot setback.
At minimum, such should include shrubs spaced a minimum of 36 inches
on center, a minimum of 24 inches at planting, or some combination of
setback and landscaping meeting the approval of the Director. Such
landscape shall be maintained in acceptable condition for the duration that
the fence exists.
4. Modifications. The Director shall have the authority, but no obligation, to
modify said setbacks and landscape requirements based on a review of
written justification that must be submitted by the Applicant. The Director
shall have the authority to increase setbacks and minimum landscape
requirements as deemed appropriate to the interests of the City of Opa-
locka.
5. Size. TCFS may be constructed up to eight (8) feet in height.
6. Copy. All copy shall be professionally prepared and affixed, and copy shall
be limited to the following:
(a) Development Name
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Ordinance No. 14-16
(b) Development Company
(c) Contact Phone Number
(d) Web Site
(e) Graphics/pictures of proposed development, buildings, people
(f) Sale price
7. Lettering. Lettering shall not exceed two (2%) percent of the sign surface
area.
8. Submittal. The following items shall be submitted in the review of the
TCFS application on a form approved by the City:
(a) Site plan/survey clearly depicting the location of the TCFS.
(b) Color illustration/elevation of the TWFS depicting the copy with
dimensions of size and lettering.
9. Review and Approval. The Director shall review the content and design of
all TCFS, and may impose any and all additional conditions deemed
appropriate including but not limited to setbacks, content, size, length,
material, color, lighting, and landscape.
10. Duration. TCFS shall be permitted up to one (1) year from approval, and
may be extended for an additional period at discretion of the Director,
providing just cause and reason is provided by the applicant. TCFS shall
be removed within fifteen (15) days after the final certificate of occupancy
for the structure(s) is issued.
C. Political Campaign Signs Standards. One (1) sign per property per candidate
or ballot issue.
1. Sign Size. The maximum size allowed shall be nine (9) square feet per
sign on residential properties and thirty-two (32) square feet on
nonresidential/mixed use properties.
2. Setback. Signs shall setback a minimum of five (5) feet from all property
lines.
54
Ordinance No. 14-16
3. Sign Location. No sign shall be located within, on, or over public right-of-
way, public lands, or utility poles, or be located in a required sight visibility
triangle.
4. Placement on Vacant Lots. No political campaign sign shall be placed
upon an unimproved lot without the written consent of the property owner
filed with the City Clerk prior to posting of the sign.
5. Signs on Vehicles or Machinery. Political campaign signs placed on
vehicles or machinery in residentially zoned property, except bumper
stickers, shall not exceed 4 1/2 square feet and shall be securely fastened
to the vehicle in order to ensure that the vehicle is capable of being
operated in a safe manner upon the roads of the state.
6. Prohibited. Portable political campaign signs, except for those signs
securely fastened to vehicles or machinery noted above, defined for
purposes of this Ordinance as signs not secured to the ground in
accordance with the Building Code, shall be prohibited.
7. Traffic Hazards. Political campaign signs shall not be located on property
in such a manner as to interfere with or present a hazard to the flow of
traffic along the streets adjacent to the property upon which such sign is
located. The City shall take appropriate actions to remove or cause such
signs to be removed.
8. Removal of Improper Political Campaign Signs. Political campaign signs
not posted in accordance with these regulations shall be subject to
removal by the candidate, the property owner or the City. If the City
removes the sign, the City shall deduct the cost and expense of removal
from the posted cash bond.
9. Duration. Sign shall be erected no earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the
first primary. Signs shall be removed within five (5) days after the last
election which candidate or issue was on the ballot. Promoters, sponsors
and candidates shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions in
this section and shall remove signs promoting or endorsing their
respective candidacies when such signs are displayed or used in violation
of this section. Additionally, any private owner who fails to remove an
unlawful special events sign from his or her property shall be deemed in
violation of this section. Any sign not removed within this time frame shall
be considered an abandoned sign and subject to removal without notice.
55
Ordinance No. 14-16
10. Bond. The City Commission shall have the authority to require that each
candidate in a municipal election and non -municipal elections, prior to the
installation and/or construction of signs in accordance with this section, to
post or cause to be posted with the City a refundable cash bond in an
amount determined by the City Commission as part of the customary
procedure to establish such fees.
11. Permit. A sign permit shall not be required for a political sign. The
exemption from a sign permit shall not be construed to waive or otherwise
exempt compliance with the Florida Building Code, or other provisions of
this Ordinance.
D. Real Estate Signs (Non-residential and Mixed -Use Developments).A
maximum of one (1) sign per lot frontage on a right-of-way, except that properties
with a lot frontage of five -hundred (500) linear feet or more are allowed a
maximum of two (2) signs per lot frontage on right-of-way.
1. Size. Real Estate signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet when affixed
to a window or building facade, and forty-four (44) square feet for
freestanding real estate signs. The support structure of the freestanding
sign shall not be counted towards the area of the sign.
2. Setback. Freestanding real estate signs shall setback a minimum of ten
(10) feet from all property lines.
3. Height. Real estate signs shall be a maximum height of eight (8) feet.
4. Spacing. Real Estate signs shall be spaced a minimum of two -hundred
fifty (250) feet apart when located on the same property, and spaced a
minimum of one hundred (100) feet from real estate signs on other
property. Real estate signs shall be spaced a minimum of five (5) feet from
any other sign on the property.
5. Location. Freestanding real estate signs shall only be placed in
landscaped areas of the property, and shall not be located in the sight
distance triangle, and shall be placed at either a 45 degree or 90 degree
angle to the right-of-way.
6. Maintenance. Real estate signs shall be maintained in good condition and
readable and shall not be faded or weathered, and shall be replaced every
twelve (12) months.
7. Copy. Sign copy shall only contain necessary copy directly related to the
real estate activity/transaction for the property of which the sign is located.
56
Ordinance No. 14-16
Advertising of products or services other than the real estate shall be
prohibited.
8. Duration. Real Estate signs shall be permitted up to one (1) year from
approval, and may be extended for an additional period at the discretion of
the Director, providing just cause and reason is provided by the applicant.
Real estate signs shall be removed within fifteen (15) days after the sale
or transaction of the property.
9. Permit. A sign permit shall be required.
10. Exception for Banners.
(a) Size. Real estate banner signs shall be allowed up to a maximum
size of ten percent (10%) of the building fa9ade area of which the
banner is mounted.
(b) Location. Real estate banner signs shall only be affixed or mounted
to the building fa9ade. Notwithstanding compliance with these
standards, no real estate banner sign may be located on the
property as to pose or create a hazardous or health safety concern.
(c) Permit. A sign permit shall be required prior to the mounting of a
real estate banner sign. A banner used as a real estate sign shall
require public hearing approval.
E. Real Estate Signs (Single Family Residential, Individual Townhouse,
Duplexes, and Similar Dwelling Units).Real estate signs shall be permitted
subject to compliance to the following standards:
1. Number. One (1) real estate sign per property and one (1) open house
real estate sign per property. Up to three (3) temporary off -premise open
house directional signs per residential development for the purpose of
providing directions to multiple new dwellings for sale or lease in said
development, or per resale home.
2. Size. Each sign on the property shall not exceed four (4) square feet in
area. Off -premise open house signs shall not exceed three (3) square feet
in size.
3. Setback. Signs shall be setback a minimum of five (5) feet from any
property line.
57
Ordinance No. 14-16
4. Height. Signs Real estate signs on the property shall be a maximum
height of five (5) feet. Temporary off -premise open house signs shall not
exceed a maximum height of two (2) feet.
5. Location. Open house Signs shall be free-standing attached to their own
support anchored in the ground, and shall not be affixed to the building
and shall not located in the right-of-way. Permission to locate off -site
open house signs shall be obtained from property owners. Signs located
in the rights -of -way, or without property owner permission may be
removed and discarded accordingly.
6. Maintenance. Signs and all supporting structures shall be maintained in
good condition and readable and shall not be faded or weathered, and
shall be replaced every twelve (12) months.
7. Copy. Real estate sign copy shall be limited to the "for sale" or "for rent",
name of the agent, company, broker, phone number, address, web-
site/email address, and other information as may be required by law or
regulations. Open house directional sign copy shall be limited to "open
house" and an address and/or directions.
8. Duration. Off -premise open house signs shall be permitted only during
actual open house events and only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. on
Fridays to 10:00 p.m. on Sundays. These hours shall be extended to
include federal holidays.
9. Permit. A sign permit shall not be required. The exemption from a sign
permit shall not be construed to waive or otherwise exempt compliance
with the Florida Building Code, or other provisions of this Ordinance.
F. Banner Signs. Banner signs shall be permitted subject to compliance to the
following standards:
1. Permit. A sign permit shall be required for a banner sign;
2. Exception. Banner signs approved for a city -sponsored or approved
special event shall be exempt from these standards;
3. Usage. Temporary banner signs can only be issued to bona fide
retail/commercial, institutional, educational, religious, or restaurant use
located on a single site or in a shopping center; Banner signs are only for
purposes of advertising a grand opening, going out of business, or
promotional or sales event;
58
Ordinance No. 14-16
4. Material. Banner signs must be of a flexible material, no permanent type
signage shall be considered a banner;.
5. Number of signs. Only one (1) banner sign per any one-year period for
single use properties can be issued; No more than three (3) banner
signs shall be permitted at any one time and in any one-year period in a
multiple tenants/multi-use development;
6. Location. Banner signs must be installed on the same property as the
business and must be in close proximity to the actual business; Banner
signs must be mounted temporarily in a landscaped area, on a fence or
wall; no permanent installation is allowed; banners cannot be secured to
trees, light poles or other structures;
7. Spacing and Setback. Banner signs must be spaced at least ten feet from
each other and shall be a minimum of seven (7) feet away from the Right
of Way at all Times;
8. Size. Banner signs may not be greater than 50 square feet in size;
9. Safety. No banner sign may be located on the property as to pose or
create a hazardous or health safety concern;
10. Duration. Applicants have up to 15 days to install the banner and the
banner sign may only be displayed for 45 days. Permits will expire 60
days from date of issuance, and all signs shall be removed; The banner
and any installation material must be completely removed after 45 days of
being installed or before the expiration of the permit, whichever comes
first, or the applicant may be subject to a civil code violation;
11. Code Inspection. The banner sign permit must be kept on the business
premises and readily available for inspection by a code compliance officer
or the applicant may be subject to a civil violation notice;
G. Inflatable/Balloon Signs. Inflatable/balloon signs shall be permitted provided
they are in compliance with the following standards:
1. Number. The maximum number of inflatable/balloon signs shall be limited
to one (1).
2. Size. Inflatable/Balloon signs shall have maximum size of thirty two (32)
feet in height and twenty (25) feet in width.
59
Ordinance No. 14-16
3. Setback. Inflatable/balloon signs shall setback a minimum of fifteen (15)
feet from all property lines.
4. Location. Inflatable/balloon signs shall only be located on non-residential,
mixed -use properties. Signs may be located in the front of buildings, on
roof tops, and on the property as to not occupy parking areas, drive aisles,
and shall not impede traffic or pedestrian flow, or create an unsafe or
hazardous situation on or off the property.
5. Duration. Inflatable/balloon signs shall be permitted up to four (4) times
each calendar year per property. No more than once each calendar
quarter per applicant or per multi-tenant/multi-use property. Maximum of
seventeen (17) days per sign during any one (1) calendar quarter.
6. Copy. Copy on the inflatable/balloon signs shall be limited to the business,
or organization, or event name, and the primary product or service.
7. Height. Maximum of thirty-two (32) feet above the rooftop of the building in
which the advertised use or occupant is located. Rooftop installations
require the written consent of the property owner.
8. Permit. A sign permit shall not be required for an inflatable/balloon sign.
The exemption from a sign permit shall not be construed to waive or
otherwise exempt compliance with the Florida Building Code, or other
provisions of this Ordinance.
H. Spot/Search Light Sign. Spot/search light signs shall be permitted provided
they are in compliance with the following standards:
1. Number. The maximum number of spot light signs shall be limited to one
(1). One (1) sign shall have a maximum of up to four (4) individual spot
lights.
2. Setback. Spot light signs shall setback a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from
all property lines.
3. Location. Spot light signs shall only be located on non-residential, mixed -
use properties. Signs may be located in the front of buildings, and on the
property as to not occupy parking areas, drive aisles, and shall not impede
traffic or pedestrian flow, or create an unsafe or hazardous situation on or
off the property.
60
Ordinance No. 14-16
4. Duration. Spot light sign shall be permitted per property or development
up to three (3) times per calendar year for up to a maximum of three (3)
consecutive days at any one time.
5. Copy. Illumination of copy shall not be permitted.
6. Permit. A sign permit shall not be required for a spot light sign. The
exemption from a sign permit shall not be construed to waive or otherwise
exempt compliance with the Florida Building Code, or other provisions of
this Ordinance.
I. Mobile Vendor and Street Vendor Signs.
1. Street vendors in semi -permanent structures and permanent structures
shall be allowed one sign, not exceeding 5 sq. ft, which may contain the
name of their business, the goods being sold at the location, and the
prices of such goods.
2. Mobile vendors shall be allowed signs on their vehicle for the purpose of
indicating the items being sold and the prices for such items only.
3. Mobile vendor signs shall be affixed to the vehicles related to the items
advertised on the sign, with the following exception: Mobile Vendors shall
be allowed (one) freestanding sign, not to exceed one (1) sq. ft., which
may be placed only on their counter.
XIX. PROHIBITED SIGNS
It shall be unlawful for any person to install, alter, erect, construct, post, paint, maintain,
or relocate, within the municipal limits of the City of Opa-locka any sign, without first
having obtained a permit from the City, and/or have a valid permit for said work, unless
otherwise exempt by this Ordinance.
Said permit shall be issued by the City Manager or his designee only after
determination has been made that full compliance with all conditions of this Ordinance,
the Florida Building Code and other applicable regulations have been met and complied
with.
Before any permit is issued, an application for such permit shall be filed in a
manner required by the City. Any sign that does not have or has not been issued a valid
permit as may be required by this Ordinance shall be prohibited. In addition, the
following signs shall be prohibited in the City of Opa-locka;
1. Any sign not in compliance with the standards set forth in this Ordinance.
2. Signs so located as to constitute a danger to public safety, including signs
placed in the sight distance triangle.
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Ordinance No. 14-16
3. Signs that exhibit thereon any lewd, obscene, offensive, or lascivious
matter.
4. Wall signs with changeable copy, with the exception of Marquee signs as
provided for in this article.
5. Window signs above the second floor of any building.
6. Portable political campaign signs, except for those signs securely fastened
to vehicles.
7. Any sign not secured to the ground or affixed to a wall or window in
accordance with the Florida Building Code.
8. Banners, either on or otherwise mounted/placed on/with or connected to
gasoline pumps, trees, utility poles, walls, or to other signage, except as
specifically permitted in accordance to this Ordinance.
9. Signs located on top of gasoline pumps, unless as required by law.
10. Flag that advertises a product, service, event, or slogan, except as
specifically permitted in accordance to this Ordinance.
11. Any signs, other than traffic signs, those under public authority, or those
otherwise provided for in this ordinance, which uses the words "Stop" or
"Danger," which implies the need to stop or present danger, are
prohibited.
12. Signs or sign supports with revolving or flashing lights that mimics the
color combinations of public alarms and signals, such as any fire alarm,
police alarm, traffic signal or sign of any devices maintained by or under
public authority, are prohibited.
13. Portable signs, except as specifically permitted in accordance to this
Ordinance.
14. Vehicle signs used to advertise a place of business or activity that can be
viewed from a public right-of-way. This shall not be interpreted to prohibit
identification of commercial vehicles provided such vehicles are
operational and moved and used daily for delivery or service purposes
and are not used, or intended for use, as portable signs. This shall not be
interpreted to prohibit a mobile vendor from having a sign used to display
information regarding information, such as prices, of the items being sold.
This sign shall also not be interpreted to apply to buses, taxicabs, and
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Ordinance No. 14-16
similar common carrier vehicles which are licensed or certified by Miami -
Dade County or other governmental agency.
15. Roof signs, parapet signs, and signs projecting above a canopy, parapet,
or roof of a building, except balloon signs that may be permitted in
accordance to this Ordinance.
16. Billboards signs, except for those specifically allowed by the City
Commission with a Zoning Council recommendation.
17. Changeable copy signs except as specifically permitted in accordance to
this Ordinance.
18. A sign which covers, interrupts or disrupts the major architectural features
of a building.
19. Signs or sign support that may interfere with public alarms, signals, or
signs or placed in such position or manner as to obstruct or interfere,
either physically or visually, with any fire alarm, police alarm, traffic signal
or sign or any devices maintained by or under public authority.
20. Abandoned signs as herein defined, that remains out of compliance of the
provisions herein for more than sixty (60) days of being abandoned.
21. Animated signs as herein defined, except for those specifically allowed by
the City Commission with a Zoning Council recommendation. .
22. Open house signs located off -premise.
23. Real estate signs with photographs, graphics of agents/brokers.
24. Off -premise signs.
25. Neon signs, except as specifically permitted in Section IX (F).
26. All snipe signs.
27. Standard balloons with or without copy used with the intention of drawing
attention.
28. Any blinking or flashing lights, revolving or rotating signs, streamer lights,
pennants, streamers, and all fluttering, spinning or other type of attention
attractors or advertising devices are prohibited except during recognized
holiday periods such attention-attractors that pertain to such holiday
periods may be displayed on a temporary basis during such periods in
accordance to provisions herein.
63
Ordinance No. 14-16
29. Automatic Changeable Copy window signs.
30. Signs on unoccupied or temporary structures, unless otherwise provided
for in this Ordinance.
31. Bench Signs.
32. Pole signs.
XX. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
A. The City Manager or designee, the Building Official, law enforcement officers,
code enforcement officers and the Community Development Director, and/or
their designees of the City of Opa-locka shall be authorized to enforce the
provisions of this Ordinance and pursuant to said authorization shall be
empowered to enforce as permitted by law all violations of this Ordinance.
B. Any person or entity found guilty of violating any section of this Ordinance shall
be subject to a fine up to $500.00 per violation per day. Each day such violation
is committed, or permitted to continue, shall constitute a separate offense and
shall be punishable as such hereunder.
* * * * * * * *
Section 3. Interpretation of Captions All headings of articles, sections,
paragraphs, and sub -paragraphs used in this Ordinance are intended for the
convenience of usage only and have no effect on interpretation.
Section 4. Providing for Repeal of Laws in Conflict All local laws and
ordinances in conflict with any provisions of this Ordinance are here by repealed to the
extent of such conflict.
Section 5. Severability If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause,
phrase, word, map, diagram, or any other item contained in this Ordinance is for
any reason held by the Court to be unconstitutional, inoperative, void, or
otherwise invalid, such holding shall not affect the remainder of this Ordinance.
64
Ordinance No. 14-16
Section 6. Inclusion in the Unified Land Development Regulation Code
The provisions of this Ordinance shall be codified in the Unified Land Development
Regulation Code and may be reorganized, renumbered, or re -lettered to effectuate
the codification of this Ordinance.
Section 7. Providing for an Effective Date The ordinance shall become
effective in the manner provided by law.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of October, 2014.
Attest to:
Jq nna Flores
Ci y Clerk
MY
iA TAYLO
MAYOR
Approved as,.to form and legal sufficiency:
Jo�.eph -. Geller
EE • POON MARDER PA
r+� ty Att • rn ey
Moved by: COMMISSIONER HOLMES
Seconded by: COMMISSIONER JOHNSON
Commission Vote: 5-0
Commissioner Holmes: YES
Commissioner Johnson: YES
Commissioner Santiago: YES
Vice -Mayor Kelley: YES
Mayor Taylor: YES
MIAMI HERALD I MiamiHerald.com
CITY OF HIALEAH GARDENS
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that a PUBLIC HEARING will be held in the City Council Chambers
at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 7, 2014, at which time the following ordinance will be
considered for final adoption. The proposed ordinance may be read at Hialeah Gardens
City Hell, City Clerk's Office. All interested parties are urged to attend the meeting and
be heard.
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HIALEAH GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING A SITE PLAN AND
VARIANCE FOR ACO INVESTMENT LLCTO PERMIT CONCERNING PROPERTY LEGAL I Y DESCRIBED
AS: TRACT 5, OF FLORIDA FRUIT LANDS COMPANY'S SUBDIVISION NO. 1, ACCORDING TO THE
MAP OR PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 2, PAGE 17, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS
OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN SECTION 19, TOWNSHIP 52 SOUTH, RANGE 40 EAST,
LESS THAT PORTION THEREOF AS DEEDED TO THE CITY OF HIALEAH GARDENS, A POLITICAL
SUBDIVISION FOR ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY PURPOSES, IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 27845, PAGE
3507, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA. THE EAST'h OF TRACT 6,
OF FLORIDA FRUIT LANDS COMPANY'S SUBDIVISION NO. 1, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT
THEREOF AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 2, PAGE 17, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN SECTION 19, TOWNSHIP 52 SOUTH, RANGE 40 EAST, LESS THAT PORTION
THEREOF AS DEEDED TO THE CITY OF HIALEAH GARDENS, A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION FOR ROAD
RIGHT-OF-WAY PURPOSES, IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 27845, PAGE 3511, OF THE PUBUC
RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA.THE EAST1 OF THE WEST Ys OF TRACT 6, OF
FLORIDA FRUIT LANDS COMPANY'S SUBDIVISION NO. 1, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT
THEREOF AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 2, PAGE 17, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN SECTION 19, TOWNSHIP 52 SOUTH, RANGE 40 EAST, LESS THAT PORTION
THEREOF AS DEEDED TO THE CRY OF HIALEAH GARDENS, A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION FOR ROAD
RIGHT-OF-WAY PURPOSES, IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 27709, PAGE 4355, OF THE PUBUC
RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA. THE EAST 1 OF THE WEST Y2 OF THE WEST Yz
OF TRACT 6, OF FLORIDA FRUIT LANDS COMPANY'S SUBDIVISION NO. 1, ACCORDING TO THE
MAP OR PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 2, PAGE 17, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS
OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN SECTION 19, TOWNSHIP 52 SOUTH, RANGE 40 EAST,
LESS THAT PORTION THEREOF AS DEEDED TO THE CITY OF HIALEAH GARDENS, A POLITICAL
SUBDIVISION FOR ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY PURPOSES, IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 27709, PAGE
4351, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA. THE WEST Y. OF THE WEST
h OF TRACT 6, OF FLORIDA FRUIT LANDS COMPANY'S SUBDIVISION NO. 1, ACCORDING TO THE
MAP OR PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 2, PAGE 17, OF THE PUBUC RECORDS
OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN SECTION 19, TOWNSHIP 52 SOUTH, RANGE 40 EAST,
LESS THAT PORTION THEREOF AS DEEDED TO THE CITY OF HIALEAH GARDENS, A POLITICAL
SUBDIVISION FOR ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY PURPOSES, IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 27709, PAGE
4347, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA. TRACT 7, OF FLORIDA
FRUIT LANDS COMPANY'S SUBDIVISION NO. 1, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF
AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 2, PAGE 17, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY,
FLORIDA, IN SECTION 19, TOWNSHIP 52 SOUTH, RANGE 40 EAST, LESS THAT PORTION THEREOF
AS DEEDED TO THE CITY OF HIALEAH GARDENS, A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION FOR ROAD RIGHT-
OF-WAY PURPOSES, IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 27709, PAGE 4359, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS
OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA. APPROXIMATE LOCATION: BETWEEN NW 109TM AVENUE AND
NW 107" AVENUE AND BETWEEN THEORETICAL NW 147. STREET AND THEORETICAL NW 150TM
STREET, HIALEAH GARDENS, FL FOLIOS: 27-2019-001-0050, 27-2019-001-0063, 27-2019-001-0062,
27-2019-001-0061, 27-2019-001-0060 AND 27-2019-001-0070., PROVIDING FOR CONDITIONS;
PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, persons needing special accommodation
to participate in this proceeding should contact the City Clerk's office no later than four days prior to
the proceeding. For assistance, the City's telephone number is (305) 558-4114; if hearing impaired the
telephone for the Florida Relay Service is (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or (800) 955-8770 (VOICE).
Maria L. Jaffee, City Clerk
Page: NabesND_9,
Edition:1st
ND SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014 119ND
CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Commission of the City of Opa-locks, Florida
will hold a public hearing at its Regular Commission Meeting on Wednesday, October 8, 2014
at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium at Sherbondy Village, 215 President Barack Obama (Perviz)
Avenue, Opa-locka, Florida to consider the following items:
SECOND READING ORDINANCES/PUBLIC HEARING:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA,
FLORIDA, TO AMEND ORDINANCE 86-8, THE LAND DEVELOPMENT
CODE BY AMENDING THE MIXED USE OVERLAY DISTRICT; PROVIDING
FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT
AND REPEALER; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE (first reading held on July 23, 2014). Deferred from 09/10/1014
Regular Commission Meeting
AV ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA,
FLORIDA, AMENDING ARTICLE VIII OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCE
BY ADDING AND DELETIONS, TO REMOVE PEDDLERS AND REPLACE
WITH STREET VENDORS AND/OR MOBILE VENDORS; PROVIDING FOR
DEFINITIONS, PERMITS, REGULATIONS, AND REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING
FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT
AND REPEALER; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (first reading held on
September 10, 2014).
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA,
FLORIDA, AMENDING CITY ORDINANCE 86-8, LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE,
ARTICLE IX. CITY OF OPA-LOCKA SIGN REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE
PURPOSE AND INTENT, DEFINITIONS, PROCESS AND PROCEDURES,
SIGNAGE DESIGN STANDARDS, SIGNS PERMITTED ACCORDING TO
LOCATION AND SIGNS PROHIBITED ACCORDING TO LOCATION;
PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR
CONFLICT AND REPEALER; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING
FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (first reading held
on September 10, 2014).
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA,
FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 21, ARTICLE II, SECTION 21-77 OF THE
CITY OF OPA-LOCKA CODE OF ORDINANCES, ENTITLED "SCHEDULE OF
RATES GENERALLY" BY AMENDING PROVISIONS RELATED TO WATER,
SEWER, AND STORMWATER RATES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2014-2015, 2015-2016,
2016-2017, 2017-2018 AND 2018-2019; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF
RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT AND REPEALER; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY AND CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE
(first reading held on September 17, 2014).
Additional information on the above items may be obtained in the Office of the City Clerk,
3400 NW 135t Street, Bldg. B, Opa-locks, Florida. All interested persons are encouraged to
attend this meeting and will be heard with respect to the public hearing.
PURSUANT TO FS 286.0105: Anyone who desires to appeal any decision made by any
board, agency; or commission with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or
hearing will need a record of the proceedings, and for that reason, may need to ensure
that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and
evidence upon which the appeal may be based.
JOANNA FLORES, CMC
CITY CLERK
Pub. date: Sunday, September 28
Section, zone: , DadeND
Last user: cc
Last change at: 2010:39 September 25
City of Opa-locks
Agenda Cover Memo
Commission Meeting
Date:
September 10, 2014
Item Type:
(EnterX in box)
Resolution
Ordinance
Other
X
Fiscal Impact:
Yes
No
Ordinance Reading:
(EnterX in box)
1st Reading
2nd Reading
X
X
X
Public Hearing:
(Enter X in box)
Yes
No
Yes
No
X
X
Funding Source:
N/A
(N/A)
Advertising Requirement:
(EnterX in box)
Yes
No
X
Contract/P.O. Required:
(EnterX in box)
Yes
No
RFP/RFQ/Bid #:
N/A
X
Strategic Plan Related
(EnterX in box)
Yes
No
Strategic Plan Priority
Enhance Organizational
Bus. & Economic Dev
Public Safety
Quality of Education
Qual. of Life & City Image
Communication
Area:
Strategic Plan Obj./Strategy:
N/A
X
•
m
•
•
•
Sponsor Name
City Manager
Department:
Community Development
Short Title:
An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Opa-locka, Florida, amending Ordinance 86-8 the Land Development Code,
Article 9 City of Opa-locka Sign Regulations to provide purpose and intent, definitions, process and procedures, signage design
standards, signs permitted according to location and signs prohibited according to location.
Staff Summary
The City, according to Article II Signs, Section 3-19, adopted Miami Dade County sign regulations from Section 33-82 through
Section 33-121.27 known as "Signs" as the sign code of the City of Opa-locka. Staff worked in conjunction with the Corradino
Group and requested that they draft an amendment to Ordinance 86-8, the Land Development Code, Article 9, to create Sign
Regulations for the City of Opa-locka. As the City Planning Consultant, the Corradino Group is responsible for drafting the new
Comprehensive Development Plan and the new Land Development Code, which would address this amendment request later in
the update process. This amendment allows the City to adopt its own sign regulations, to maintain a positive image for residential,
business and industrial areas of the City, to promote orderly and beneficial development, to promote public safety and to avoid
excessive clutter. This amendment also provides definitions, process and procedures for sign approval and design standards to
Ordinance to to Amend the City Sign Regulation
1
promote certain sign types and design standards to prohibit certain sign types. This amendment request was reviewed and
recommended for approval by the Planning Council on August 5, 2014.
Proposed Action:
Staff recommends approval of Land Development Code Amendment .
Attachments:
1. Planning Concil Meeting Minutes — August 5„ 2014
2. Draft Ordinance to Amend the City Sign Regulations
Ordinance to to Amend the City Sign Regulation 2
Memorandum
TO: Myra L. Taylor, Mayor
Joseph Kelley, Vice Mayor
Timothy Holmes, Commission r
Dorothy Johnson, Commissions
Luis B. Santiago, Commissione
FROM: Kelvin L. Baker, Sr., City Manage
DATE: September 3, 2014
RE: An Ordinance of the City Commission amending Ordinance 86-8, Article 9 City of Opa-
locka Sign Regulations
Request:
An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Opa-locks, Florida, amending Ordinance 86-8 the Land
Development Code, Article 9 City of Opa-locks Sign Regulations to provide purpose and intent, definitions,
process and procedures, signage design standards, signs permitted according to location and signs
prohibited according to location.
Description:
The City, according to Article II Signs, Section 3-19, adopted Miami Dade County sign regulations from
Section 33-82 through Section 33-121.27 known as "Signs" as the sign code of the City of Opa-locka. Staff
worked in conjunction with the Corradino Group and requested that they draft an amendment to Ordinance
86-8, the Land Development Code, Article 9, to create Sign Regulations for the City of Opa-locks. As the
City Planning Consultant, the Corradino Group is responsible for drafting the new Comprehensive
Development Plan and the new Land Development Code, which would address this amendment request
later in the update process. This amendment allows the City to adopt its own sign regulations, to maintain
a positive image for residential, business and industrial areas of the City, to promote orderly and beneficial
development, to promote public safety and to avoid excessive clutter. This amendment also provides
definitions, process and procedures for sign approval and design standards to promote certain sign types
and design standards to prohibit certain sign types. This amendment request was reviewed and
recommended for approval by the Planning Council on August 5, 2014.
Financial Impact: There is no financial impact to the City to adopt this ordinance.
Implementation Time Line: Immediately
Legislative History:
Code of Ordinance, Article II Signs Sec. 3-19 to Sec. 3-25 to Sec. 3.34
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of this Code of Ordinance and Land Development Code Amendment.
Ordinance to Amend Sign Regulations
Planning Council Recommendation:
The Planning Council recommended approval of this Ordinance.
Attachment(s)
Planning Council Meeting Minutes August 5, 2014
Draft Ordinance to Amend the City Sign Regulations
Prepared By: Gerald Lee, Zoning Official
2
I. ROLL CALL:
MINUTES
PLANNING COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, August 5, 2014
The Planning Council Meeting officially convert6di t 7:1`
in attendance:
Leslie Dennis, Oria Rodriguez, Rose Tydus, Elio Guerrero --Actin Chairperson
Absent Board Member: Chairper
Also in attendance were GregOty,, Gay, Dir., Planning and Community
Development (PCD), Gerald lee, Zonin Official Joseph Geller, City Attorney,
Inez P. Robinson, Community Develop ' ent Secretary, Jerry Bell, City of Opa-
locka Planning Consultant, Matthew igatt, PCD Intern
II. INVOCATION AND PLEDG
Board Member, Rose Tydus led the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance was
stated after the prayer!
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Mr. Lee stated that he did not recall voting for a Vice Chair. City Attorney, Joe
Geller stated that the person who has served on this board the longest is usually
the Vice Chair. Therefore, Elio Guerrero presided as the Vice Chair of the
Planning Council (PC) Meeting.
Mr. Guerrero requested that a board member make a motion to approve the
previous PC Meeting minutes. Leslie Dennis made the motion, but there was a
question about the two different meetings, July et and July 8th. Mr. Guerrero then
Planning Council Minutes
08/05/2014
Page 1 of 9
asked for someone to make a motion to approve the minutes from the July 1, 2014
meeting; therefore, Ms. Tydus made the motion that the minutes be approved and
Ms. Dennis seconded the motion. Before the vote was taken, Ms. Rodriguez
requested clarification of some of the initials in both meetings' minutes. Mr. Lee
explained that "CD" meant construction and debris. Geller further clarified the
initials, stating they mean construction and demolition debris, and Mr. Lee agreed
with him. Additionally, Ms. Rodriguez wanted to know what the initials GL and
LD meant in the July 1, 2014 minutes. Mr. Lee told her they are for his name,
Gerald Lee and PC board member, Leslie Dennis. She stated that the words
should be there so that no one is confused. Chairman Guerrero asked for
someone to make a motion to approve the minutes separately, with the corrections
made. Ms. Tydus made the motion to approve the minutes, with corrections, for
July 1, 2014, and Ms. Dennis seconded the motion. I, Ms. Robinson, called the
roll for the vote.
The motion was unanimously passed 4-0
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Mr. Guerrero asked for someon ii the board to make a motion to accept the
July 8, "2014 PC Board meeting minutes, with the stated corrections, and Ms.
Tydus made the motion and Oria Rodriguez seconded the motion.
The motion was animously passed 4-0
Leslie Dennis
Oria Rodriguez
Rose Tydus
Elio Guerrero
Planning Council Minutes
08/05/2014
Page 2 of 9
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
IV. PUBLIC HEARING:
Mr. Guerrero requested that the City Attorney, Joe Geller, read Item 1A, and Atty.
Geller read it.
APPLICANT NAME:
City of Opa-locka Community Development Department
REQUEST:
THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS TO CITY, ORDIN
DEVELOPMENT CODE)
6-8 (LAND
A. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OCMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-
LOCKS, FLORIDA, TO AMEN? ORDINANCE 86-8 THE LAND
DEVELOPMENT CODE BYAMENDING THE CITY SIGN CODE;
On behalf of the City of Opa-locka Conunitty Developnt Department, Mr. Lee introduced
Item 1 A to the Board, stating, as far as staff is concerned, we did not do a staff report, per se,
because we are the ones who forgedthe'documept that you, have before you, and we have our
Planning Consultant, who's going to make a presentation concerning the Sign Code. He asked
Jerry Bell of Corradino Consultant Firm, the consultant for the City of Opa-locka, Community
Development Department, to expound upon Agenda Item 1A.
Mr. Jerry Bell stated that the purpose of this. Code' is really to improve the visual quality of the
city and to improve the safety of the city by providing regulation of signs. He presented benefits
to amending the City- $ign Code. (e.g. improvement of the visual image of the City, and it will
create a positive image for residential business in industrial areas. The City believes that these
types of signs can help to conserve the actually taxable value of the City. Also, he said, it
promotes public safety and avoids clutter from signs. Before a sign is approved, an applicant
will have to bring in a Sign Plan to the City for approval, along with any fees and their Sign Plan
has to include information such as, where the sign is going to be relocated, dimension elevation
drawing, if it's a monument sign, a Landscape Plan that will apply to the monument sign, as
well, and other information that is outlined in the ordinance. Once a Sign Plan is brought in the
Community Development department has a period of time to review that plan, and they will
review it against the Ordinance to make sure it meets these criteria. Bell continued to explain the
process of how signs would be accepted or rejected. He said, in the event that a Sign Plan is
reviewed and denied, the applicant has 14 days to revise the plan without incurring additional
fees. They could appeal that denial to the Zoning Board of Appeals within 14 days, and the
Planning Council Minutes
08/05/2014
Page 3 of 9
Commission would set the day and time to hear the appeal. There is a provision for applying for
a Variance from the Sign Code that would also require an application with Community
Development Department and the Commission can approve a Variance, if it meets certain
criteria. The proposed Sign Code does outline a number of signs to exist without a permit, (e.g.
traffic, parking, speed limit signs, etc.) Mr. Bell used a Power Point presentation to show the
board examples of signs that are permissible and those that will not. He stated that non-
compliant signs will have a 5 year timeframe to become compliant with the Ordinance. In the
event that the City annexes surrounding areas, those area businesses will have to comply with the
new Sign Code also. Mr. Bell ended his presentation and welcomed any questions from the
audience.
Acting Chairman Guerrero asked a question about "pole" signs, vAhether or not they will be
permitted and if not will there will . a 5 year timeframe for those signs to bc'removed and
replaced with appropriate signs. Mr. Bell answered him in the affirmative, "Exactly. ' Other
members asked for clarity of specific signs and details, of, the proposed amendment to the Sign
Code. Atty. Geller chimed in on this discussion. He `stated that he counted 13 changes and
expounded on those he thought were most significant. "'1r. Gay joined in the discussion, stating
that there are some signs that have real safety cones, the City waits to eliminate such signs as
soon as possible. He further staled that the designHof signs have changed significantly since
some of the signs in Opa-locka were erect edd" We want to create a sense of cleaning, safety, and
better vista and view for customers and citizens, Mr. Gay further stated.
f�.
Mr. Guerrero called for a public hearing. No one respo ded, so he closed the public hearing on
Item IA, and called for a motion to approve this Item 1A. Ona Rodriguez moved to approve
Item lA and Leslie Dennis seconded the motion.
The motion
as unanimously passed 4-0
Lesit Dennis
Oria Rodriguez
Rose Tydus
Elio Guerrero
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Mr. Guerrero asked Atty. Geller to read the next Agenda Item, and Atty. Geller stated the
following:
Planning Council Minutes
08/05/2014
Page 4 of 9
B. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OCMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-
LOCKA, FLORIDA, TO AMEND ORDINANCE 86-8, THE LAND
DEVELOPMENT CODE TO INCLUDE PLACES OF RELIGIOUS ASSEMBLY
AS PERMITTED USE IN THE I-1 INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICT UPON
APPROVAL BY THE CITY FOR THIS SPECIFIC LOCATION WITHIN SAID
DISTRICTS AS SPECIAL EXCEPTION, SITE PLAN REVIEW IS REQUIRED
AND AN ANNUAL LICENSE MUST BE OBTAINED TO CONTINUE
OPERATIONS PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS
PROVINDING FOR CONFLICTS AND REPEAL PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE,
Mr. Lee explained to the Board that this ,Ordinance i not new 'tO them. It was
presented to them before, and they supported it. He said, "It went to the City
Commission. When it went to the City Commission, it died for ia` lack of a second.
The City was at a public meeting in this same building,und the City was called to this
meeting. It was not the City staffs meeting. But they Went teethe meeting, and there
was an outcry in that room, about having this Ordinance reconsidered, and the City
staff was instructed by the City Manager and members of the Commission to bring
this back to this board, to brim this `back to the Commission for reconsideration. In
our studies of the information,' we, the mennbers of our department, our interns, we
found that maybe to make this more palatable to the Commission, we added some
other conditions that might mare it a little bit better that maybe it would be something
that they would suplpti . �0„ a unit.. Therefare, the changes that we've made to it,
based on that research, is to add that, 'the Site Plan must meet...take a look at a copy
of your document in your Agenda;package..the second area, the draft area...the fourth
"Whereas says the P1anMing Council recommends the following conditions are also
imposed fbr this permitted �use ,Number one, this one was already there...former Site
Plariltoview is required and this use is permitted as a special exception.
Two, thish item was also in the previous version; the religious structure should have a
floor plan of at least 1,000 sq. ft.
The nextitem,; number three, was alluded to, but we made it more specific, based on
the researchthat we did. The Site Plan must meet all parking requirements as one
parking space per four person's seats, based on the maximum capacity for approval.
Let me explain, before we go further, that was to make sure that any religious use that
might occur in the I-1 Zoning District would have with it the parking requirements to
allow for that use, and they would have to identify those parking spaces as a part of
their Site Plan with commitments from the property owner so that there would be an
Planning Council Minutes
08/05/2014
Page 5 of 9
accommodation for them from the owner, so that it wouldn't interfere with the flow
in that zoning district.
Number four, this one was included in the previous version; an annual license must
be obtained to continue operation.
The fifth one, this is a new one, the City has adopted an ordinance that talks about
payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for non profits to not reduce the taxable income to
the City, in spite of a non profit's ability to qualify'{for a tax exemption or an
exemption from paying property tax. We included the operational approval is subject
to an agreement with the City PILOT legislation, which requires, in lieu of tax
exemption permitted for the 501(c) 3, that the organization_ agrees to pay the assessed
amount of taxes to the City. So with thosee things in place, we would hope that you
would support the proposed Amendment that we have 'and that maybe it Mould find
some agreement with the City. Other than those changes, the rest of it has been what
you already have seen before, which is allowing places of religious worship in an
industrial zoning district--the.lowest in tense, of the industrial zone. One thing that I
want to add that I didn't put this, but I want to say to you is, in the research we
did some of the cities that allow. places of religious to
in an industrial zone
don't identify it as places of religious worship. instead they list it as "public
assembly". By that they don't make it a religious thing, but that if anyone wants to
have public assembly, in that zoning district, the same things could apply. I wanted
to put that out for your consideration. If you wanted to make an Amendment to what
we presented, you could do r, or ifdon't like it, you could choose to change it,
but I wanted to say, that in other cities, ''one other thing that they do is that they don't
say churches or places of religious worship, they say for public assembly in this
zoning district these same requirements would be in place. That concludes our
presentation.."
Atty. Geller asked the Chairperson for permission to bring up an issue concerning the
legality of this request on two issues. He stated that there is a thing called RFRA—
the Restoration Freedom Reformation Act —what that basically says is that you may
not treatreligious institutions any worse than you would treat any other institution.
Geller gave an example. His other concern was concerning PILOT, stating where
you can do payment in lieu of taxes for other 501(c) 3s, he thinks, but you are having
legal issues, there may be legal concerns about requiring religious institutions to be
included in PILOT. You cannot get religious institutions, which are not required to
pay taxes, to pay taxes or a payment in lieu of taxes in order to get their zoning desire.
Geller suspects courts would look warily on that. He suggested that the board do
more research on this matter before they vote to approve it.
Planning Council Minutes
08/05/2014
Page 6 of 9
Mr. Lee revisited the parking issue, stating that the City's code parking requirements
are different based on different uses, and public assembly is the category in which
places of religious worship falls and what he previously stated concerning parking is
the same standard for place of worship. What the attempt is is that there is
accommodation for parking.
Geller and Lee continued to give examples of things that are suspect for RFRA and
PILOT. Mr. Gay expounded on PILOT and offered examples of it. Geller again
urged the City to do further research and refine the requested ordinance before this
Item goes before the Commission.
Rose Tydus asked for clarity on what is meant by "public assembly" and Geller
answered her stating that the City's Code defines it, but he doesn't l Oieve a night
club would qualify, of which she had inquired.
Mr. Gay stated that the City staff, who drafted t ordinance, w1T go back and
revised it for clarity on what PI.L0 ien. it .Then reschedule it `and` have it heard at
the next Planning Council meeting, which will be held in September. Mr. Gay added
that he asked his staff and orit;.of the interns to find out what is the minimum Florida
building code, as it relates to places of agganbly,'and t.ht is what's presented before
you, he stated. Furthermore,Hhe said what they have is pretty much as accurate as
possible.
Mr. Guerrero asked fir the Public Hearing on this matter. Matthew Pigatt, resident at
1300 Perry Street and Planning and Community Development Intern, presented as a
resident on tonight. He asked why are Ne making exceptions for religious institutions
for the Zoning Code?
Mr.. Gay stated that we, the City, needed to look at how religious institutions that are
looking into locating in ,industrial areas how we would be able to make that
something that can occur within the City of Opa-locka? Gay stated, the I-1 category
seemed to be the most logical industrial designation that we could utilize because it's
the one, that has the lowest impact, as it relates to industrial activity, verses your I-2s,
I-3s, which are more of a manufacturing, high impact, heavy, and in some cases very
dirty industrial area. Therefore, we didn't want to have religious institutions located
next to metal grinding facility. He stated, "It just didn't make sense." Moreover, he
stated that the religious institutions thing was prompted by a number of pastors whom
they had a discussion with at one of their pastoral meetings, and that was one of their
expressed concerns, and we were called to that particular meeting. Thus, initially, we
were looking at it from a religious standpoint, but after we did additional research and
after looking at what other municipalities were doing, places of assembly really gave
Planning Council Minutes
08/05/2014
Page 7 of 9
us a lot more latitude to allow for these particular types of uses, so it didn't
necessarily have to be religious oriented. It could be under several other groupings.
It allowed more flexibility as it relates to the use. So that how the City staff came to
that conclusion and having it as a place of assembly gives us a lot more latitude.
Mr. Pigatt stated that as the only citizen of Opa-locks at this meeting to voice support
or denial of Item 1B, he would like to ask the Council to reject this ordinance on
grounds which the Atty. Geller expressed. Most importantly is the tax base, he said.
He went on to say, "We have quite a few churches and religious institutions
throughout the city already and that takes away from our tax base, and we need as
much revenue for the city as possible. This is opening up vace for religious
institutions to come into our city and take away from our tax base..',,Number two, it
seems that this will open up our city to quite a dew lawsuits aril drama and headaches
that we don't need at this time within our city. twant to cut that out." He further
stated that there are plenty of cities that have„ prohibited churches in industrial areas,
and it hasn't been that big of a deal. He sai "We just deny the applications like we
do other zoning areas."
His third reason for requesting a genial on,this Its is the Marking issues. He said, "If
we cannot treat religious! institutions any different; then, I can see how the parking
can, may cause some congestion in tlw areas and may hurt other businesses. If we
do approve this ordinance, Isuggest wake a couple of changes to it. Number 1,
open it up to "PubliF Asse nbly"; to get around this parking situation. He wants it to
be based on seats ! H the au itorium, instead of square footage. This concluded his
concerns.
Mr. Guerrero asked if there was any additional discussion. There was no additional
discussion. Therefore, Mr. Guerrero asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. It
was stated by Ms. Rodriguez that a motion to defer Item 1 B was needed. Therefore,
she made the motion to defer Item 1 B until the corrections regarding the parking and
the tax exemptions concerning PILOT be changed, according to the City Attorney's
and Mr. Gay's recommendations. Rose Tydus seconded the motion. Mr. Guerrero
asked for theroleto be called.
The motion was unanimously passed 4-0
Leslie Dennis
Oria Rodriguez
Planning Council Minutes
08/05/2014
Page 8 of 9
Yes
Yes
Rose Tydus - Yes
Elio Guerrero - Yes
Chairman Guerrero asked if there was any other business. Mr. Gay offered us a staff
update. He stated that in the last meeting, the Planning and Community Development
department informed them that the staff is in the process of updating its
Comprehensive Master Plan along with the Land Development Regulation. The
consultant completed the first draft of the Comprehensive Master Plan, and he passed
copies of it to the board members to review. He asked for them to give the
department feedback because the staff would like to get the''inforrri'ation out to the
community in August in order to make the necessary modifications for the adoption
of the Comprehensive Master Plan.
Mr. Guerrero asked for a motion to adjour the meeting.i_ Ms Rodriguez moved to
adjourn the meeting, and Ms. Tydus seconded it. NO 1r one opposed; thus, Mr.
Guerrero adjourned the meetin At
Submitted by
ez P, Robinsori`
Planning Council Clerk
ATTEST:
Mr. Calvin Russell
Planning Council Chairman
Planning Council Minutes
08/05/2014
Page 9 of 9
CITY OF OPA-LOCKA
SIGN REGULATIONS
AS AMENDED
City of Opa-locka
Land Development Code - Part II Ordinances
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ORDINANCE A: SIGNS 3
I. TITLE 3
II. GENERAL PRINCIPLES 3
III. PURPOSE AND INTENT 3
IV. DEFINITIONS 3
V. SIGN PERMIT REQUIRED 11
VI. SIGNS PERMITTED WITHOUT SIGN PERMIT 174-5
VII. SIGN PLAN REQUIRED ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.4-7
VIII. NONCONFORMING SIGNS/AMORTIZATION 18
IX. SIGNAGE DESIGN STANDARDS 21
X. SIGNAGE ALONG PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL AND MINOR ARTERIAL CORRIDORS (PAMA) 38
XI. SIGNAGE ALONG COLLECTOR AND ALL OTHER RIGHT-OF-WAYS 4243
XII. SIGNAGE IN THE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (TOD) 4445
XIII. TEMPORARY SIGNS 39
XIV. PROHIBITED SIGNS 5355
XV. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES 5557
FIGURES
FIGURE 0-1 - SIGN AREA FOR MULTI -FACE SIGNS 2223
FIGURE 0-2 - WALL SIGN CALCULATIONS DIAGRAM 28
FIGURE 0-3 - WINDOW SIGN CALCULATION DIAGRAM 28
FIGURE 0-4 - OPA-LOCKA OFFICIAL ZONING MAP ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.39
FIGURE 0-5 - MONUMENT SIGNS ON PAMA 4044
FIGURE 0-6 - MONUMENT SIGNS 4647
City of Opa-locka, FL- Sign Code ii
SignRegulations
I. TITLE
This Ordinance shall be known as the "Sign Code of City of Opa-locka", Sign Regulations.
II. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
The City of Opa-locka is located in Miami -Dade County with major transportation
thoroughfares including N.W. 27th Avenue, N.W. 22nd Avenue, NW 135th Street, and N.W. 42nd
Avenue. These corridors are the emphasis for development and redevelopment in the City's
Comprehensive Development Master Plan. The standards set forth herein establish criteria for
each type of transportation corridor, tied to roadway classification. This provides a more
consistent approach to implementation of the code, as opposed to following zoning district
boundaries.
III. PURPOSE AND INTENT
These sign regulations and requirements are the minimum requirements to promote the
public health, safety, comfort, good order, appearance, morals and general welfare, to maintain
a positive character and image for residential, business and industrial areas throughout the
City, to conserve the taxable value of land and buildings, to protect the character and maintain
the stability of residential, business, and industrial areas within the city, and to promote the
orderly and beneficial development of such areas. The display of signs should be appropriate
to the land, building or use they identify and be adequate, but not excessive, for the intended
purpose of identification or advertisement.
Unless otherwise prescribed herein, signs placed on land or on a building for the purpose of
message display, identification or for advertising a use conducted thereon or therein shall be
deemed to be accessory and incidental to subject land, building or use. With respect to signs
advertising business uses, these regulations are specifically intended to promote public safety,
and avoid excessive competition and clutter among sign displays in the demand for public
attention.
IV. DEFINITIONS
The following words and phrases are hereby defined as provided in this section. Where there
is a question as to the interpretation of a term, word, classification or definition of a sign, the
City Manageror designee (Director) shall make the final determination on the term, category,
classification, and/or definition applicable.
For the purposes of this Ordinance a sign shall mean any display of characters, letters, logos,
illustrations, figurines, costumed form, whether human or not, or any ornamentation designed
City of Opa-locka, FL- Sign Code 3
Land Development Code
or intended, or used as an advertisement or announcement, that directs attention to a
particular product, commodity, or business enterprise, or to indicate direction. Use of vehicles,
equipment, inflated balloons, lighting, or the like as an attention attractor or advertising device
visible from public or private streets, with or without a printed or written message or
advertisement, shall also be considered a sign.
Abandoned sign.A sign which advertises or identifies a business establishment, product or
activity, not legally established, has ceased, or which is no longer in operation.
Advertising.Any form of public announcement intended to aid, draw the attention to, directly
or indirectly, in the sale, use or promotion of a product, commodity, service, activity or
entertainment.
Anchor tenant.For the purposes of this Ordinance an anchor store shall be considered the
major tenant/occupant/use of a building, property, and/or development.
Animated signs.A sign which utilizes motion of any part by any means, including wind power,
or displays flashing, oscillating or intermittent lights, animated animal figures or characters.
Automatic Electric Changing Signs. Electronic, LCD, LED type signs allowing changeable copy by
automated or mechanical means used to depict change of light, action, create special effects,
and messages for advertising purposes. Referred to as ACS signs in the Miami -Dade County
Code of Ordinances.
Awning/Canopy signs.Any sign affixed to or supported by an awning or canopy. Such sign shall
be considered a wall sign.
Banner.A temporary sign made of flexible, sturdy fabric or material and temporarily fixed to a
building or structure, or mounted in the ground. Such signs shall include pennants, streamers,
or other similar types signs.
Billboard. A sign that advertises a commercial business, commodity, service, product, or
activity not conducted, sold, offered, or available on the premises where such sign is located,
the copy of which may be intended to be changed periodically. Referred to as Class "C" signs in
the Miami -Dade County Code of Ordinances.
Box or cabinet sign.Any sign, the face of which is enclosed, bordered or contained within a box-
like structure, frame or other device, such box may be internally illuminated, and mounted
flush to the building fagade. Such sign shall be considered a wall sign.
Brand identity.The registered corporate trademark of a business, either a logo, logotype, color
scheme, slogan, or designs which through consistent copyrighted use have become identifiable
with a specific business or institution.
City of Opa-locka, FL
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Building directory sign.A sign listing the location of activities, services, addresses and/or
tenants within a building, incidental to the property it is located on, but not intended to
advertise the use in any manner.
Changeable copy sign (manual).A sign on which the message copy is changed manually in the
field through the utilization of attached letters, numbers, symbols, and other similar characters
or changeable pictorial panels.
Channel lettering sign.A fabricated sign of which the lettering and/or other copy is customarily
a translucent white or colored acrylic and which has internal illumination within each
individual letter and/or component to illuminate the face of each individual letter and/or
component. Such signs shall be considered wall signs.
Construction sign.A sign erected or maintained on the premises temporarily while undergoing
construction by an architect, contractor, sub -contractor, developer or finance organization, or
other type of affiliation with the construction, at which location such individual is furnishing
labor, materials, or services and bearing the name(s) of same. Such signs shall be considered a
temporary sign.
Copy.All wording, lettering, graphics, logos, trademarks, slogans affixed on a sign in either
permanent or removable letter form.
Directional sign/Informational signs.A sign which only conveys information or provides
direction, and is located and designed to be viewed on site by pedestrians or motorists. Such
signs shall include, but not be limited to, signs that depict "entrance", "exit", "caution", "no
trespassing', "no parking', "valet parking".
Directory sign.A sign, either freestanding or wall -mounted listing the location of activities,
services, addresses and/or tenants within a multi-tenant/use development, incidental to the
property it is located on, but not intended to advertise the use in any manner.
Drive-thru sign. A sign intended to display menu items for an establishment with a drive-thru
intended to be visible to the drive-thru patrons and not visible from the public rights -of -way.
Entry feature(s).A combination of elements including signs, landscaping, and other
architectural elements placed to one (1) or both sides of a roadway or entranceway of a
property and/or development, either non-residential, residential, or mix -use.
Fapde.Shall mean the entire building wall including wall face, parapet, fascia, windows, door,
and canopy of an elevation of the building.
FIag.A piece of fabric, cloth, or sturdy material usually oblong, rectangular, square or triangular
attached at one (1) edge to a staff, pole or cord that is usually the symbol of a nation, state,
county, municipality, or civic organization or a corporate entity.
City of Opa-locka, FL
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Land Development Code
Freestanding sign.A self -supported sign structure ground mounted and not attached or affixed
in any way to a building or any other structure.
Graphics.The use of illustrations, photos, logos, typography, etc. as a wall treatment or as part
of a sign either illuminated and/or non -illuminated.
Handheld Sign. Any sign held, suspended, or supported by an individual(s).
Illegal sign. Any sign placed, erected or installed without proper approval or permits from the
city, or not in compliance with the regulations set forth in this Ordinance.
Illumination -external. Illumination of a sign face or graphic element from a shielded light source
that is not internal to the sign itself.
Illumination-internal.A light source concealed or contained within the sign which becomes
visible by shining through a translucent surface, letter or graphic image.
Inflatable/Balloon.A sign that is an inflatable structure and/or object of any size which may
contain a display of copy or not, and intended to direct attention. Standard balloons with or
without copy shall be considered an inflatable/balloon sign.
Logo.A registered symbol, emblem, trademark or graphic device used as a badge or identity,
used by an organization or corporation to identify corporate property or products.
Logotype.The use of a group of words or word which has been designed to create a unique
identity or trademark for an organization or corporation.
Maintenance.The routine cleaning, painting, repair or replacement of defective parts of a sign
in a manner that does not alter the basic copy, design, size or structure of the sign.
Marquee/Marquee Sign.A permanent roof -like shelter extending from part or all of a building
face, projecting from and supported by the building and extending beyond the building wall,
building line or street line.Marquee signs may or may not project over the public right-of-way.
For the purposes of this ordinance a marquee sign shall be treated as a changeable copy sign.
Mascot/Figurine/Costume Signs. Mascot/figurine/costume signs shall be defined as any
figurine, costumed form, whether human or not, used or intended to be used as a commercial
advertisement or announcement, that directs attention to a particular product, commodity or
business enterprise.
Memorial Sign. Sign which memorializes a person, event, or historical building or object. In
addition, memorial signs include plaques or masonry on buildings which may involve the
display of name, date of erection and use of building.
City of Opa-locka, FL
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Land Development Code
Menu board sign.A sign that is displayed immediately adjacent to the front entry of a restaurant
in which is displayed the published menu and corresponding prices of the food and services
provided.
Mixed -Use development. A development, site, and/or building(s) with multiple uses of which
there is a mix of residential and non-residential uses.
Monument sign.A freestanding sign where the supporting structure of the sign face is
architecturally and aesthetically integrated into the overall design of the sign. The base of
supporting structure is embellished to conceal all structural or support members. The
perimeter of said sign is landscaped to enhance the area adjacent to the sign. Eighty percent
(80%) of the base supporting structure shall be in contact with the ground. The sign face
should be solid and not intended to be a pole type design.
Multi -story structure.A building or structure or portion thereof with two (2) or more stories
measured from grade, to include stories used for parking.
Multi -use / Multi -tenant development.A development, site, and/or building(s) with separate
unrelated business entities, each considered a principal use, such as, but not limited to a
shopping center, office building, and mixed -use development.
Murals: Any mosaic, painting or graphic art technique applied, implanted or placed directly
onto a window or wall and containing no copy, advertising symbols, lettering, trademarks or
other references to the premises or to the products and/or services offered for sale on the
premises.
Mural advertising sign: Any mosaic, painting or graphic art technique applied, implanted or
placed directly onto a window or wall/which contains copy, advertising symbols, lettering or
other references to the premises or to the products and/or services offered.
Nameplate sign.A sign indicating the name, and/or profession or address of a person or
persons residing on the premises or legally occupying the premises.
Neon sign.A sign using neon gas tubing as a light source.
Nonconforming sign.A sign existing within the city on the effective date of this Ordinance or a
sign existing in an area annexed to the City of Opa-locka, after the effective date of this
Ordinance, which, by, but not limited to, its design, height, type, copy, sign area, location, use,
structural support or other characteristics does not conform to the requirements of this
Ordinance.
Off -premise sign.A sign located or placed other than on the premises or property of which the
copy is intended.
City of Opa-locka, FL
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Land Development Code
Open house sign.A sign advertising and pointing toward the direction of a house that is open for
inspection for the purpose of selling said property. Such signs shall be located on the property
of which the copy is intended, otherwise, such sign shall be considered an off -premise sign.
Parapet.The extension of the building facade or wall above the roof line.
Permanent sign.A sign intended for permanent use, without a permitted duration period.
Pole sign.A permanent sign erected, supported, mounted on a pole or poles which is wholly
independent of any building or other structure for support.
Portable sign.Any movable sign not permanently attached to the ground or a building.
Projecting sign. Any sign projecting more than 12 inches from the building facade that it is
affixed to, or suspended from above and perpendicular to the building facade.
Public art shall mean publicly accessible original art that enriches the City and
evokesmeaning. It may includepermanent visual art, performances,installations, eventsand
other temporary works,preservation or restoration ofunique architectural
features,ornamentation or details. Itmay also include the artistdesignedinfrastructure
andstructures themselves. Publicart may be classified as a sign, and should consider the site,its
context and audience.Public art may possessfunctional as well as aestheticqualities; it may be
integratedinto the site or be a discretework.
Raceway signs.Signs employing a metal box or raceway which conceals the transformers and
electrical wiring necessary to operate the sign. The logos or letters that make up the sign are
attached to the raceway instead of to the building facade.
Real estate sign.A sign that advertises the owner, or his agent, indicating property which is for
rent, sale or lease.
Reverse channel wall sign.Individual copy lettering or sign components that are individually
mounted directly on the wall having lighting concealed within the letter or number so that the
light reflects off the wall (i.e. reverse lighting), creating a "halo" effect.
Roof sign.A sign erected over or on the roof, or extending above the roof line, which is
dependent upon the roof, parapet or upper walls of any building, or portion thereof, for
support.
Sandwich sign.A moveable sign not secured or attached to the ground. Such sign shall be
considered a portable sign.
Sidewalk Sign. Advertisement written, stenciled, or painted on the pavement of the right-of-
way, as well as sandwich signs, shall be considered sidewalk signs.
City of Opa-locka, FL
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Land Development Code
Sign Face. The portion of the sign of which copy is displayed, and shall not include the base or
foundation of the monument sign.
Sign Height.The vertical distance from the top of the grade to the top of the sign's highest
element, including all structural elements. Grade shall be construed to be the newly
established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding or excavating
solely for the purpose of locating the sign.
Sign setback.The distance between the adjacent property line to the closest part of the sign
structure.
Sign spacing.The distance measured in a straight line from the closest part of one sign
structure to closest part on another sign structure or building or structure, except, that when
measuring the spacing between signs on the different rights -of -way the measurement shall be
taken along the perimeter of the property line and/or then taken perpendicular to signs
located across such rights -of -way. Spacing between signs and a building or structure shall be
the shortest distance measured from the closest part of the sign structure to the closest part of
the building facade.
Sign p1an.A set of plans depicting the proposed aesthetics, creative, and dimensional standards
for all signage within the property. Such plan shall be in compliance with the regulations
contained herein.
Slogan.The use of a group of words or word which has been designed to create a unique
identity or trademark for an organization or corporation.
Sign area for monument, and freestanding signs.The total square footage of a sign inclusive of
structural supports.
Sign owner.For the purposes of this Ordinance the owner/tenant/person(s) responsible for the
installation, erection, mounting, maintenance, and/or repair of the sign shall be considered the
sign owner.
Single use development.A development, site, or building(s) with one (1) principal use. Such use
may have related ancillary and accessory uses to the principal uses, but together the uses are
intended to operate as one principal use.
Snipe sign.A sign which is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise attached to trees,
poles, stakes, or fences, or to other objects with the message appearing thereon not applicable
to the present use of the premises or structures upon which the sign is located.
Special event sign.A sign identifying a temporary event being held within the City sponsored or
approved by the City.
Spot/Search light sign.A sign- illuminating a-spotstrong, focused light, either stationary or in
motion, with the intention of attracting attention to the business, premises, activity or event.
City of Opa-locka, FL
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Street frontage.The linear footage measured along the length of the property line of a piece of
property, as it abuts to the street right-of-way of a public street. Frontage that abuts an
alleyway shall not be counted towards street frontage calculations.
Temporary Construction Fence Sign (TCFS).Signs affixed to, or integrated on construction
fences and walls, as such fences and walls may be required for compliance to applicable
regulations, and to shield and buffer construction sites from public view. TCFS are intended to
include certain information and graphic material to identify, advertise, or draw attention to the
proposed project.
Temporary Holiday sign.A sign that represents a recognized holiday, cultural celebration or
religious observance. Such signage shall include associated decorations, lighting, and
animation.
Temporary sign.A sign intended for temporary use with a permitted duration period.
Umbrella sign.A sign affixed to an umbrella, usually located outdoors.
Vehicle sign.A sign affixed to, contained within, or painted on a transportation vehicle including
automobiles, trucks, boats, trailers, and recreational vehicles for the purpose of identification
or advertisement, whether stationary or in motion, with the primary purpose of calling
attention to a business establishment, service, production or event.
Wall sign.A sign installed or erected parallel to the facade of any building upon which it is
attached and designed to be in proportion to the architectural facade or wall upon which it is
fastened and not projecting or extending above the buildings' roof or parapet line. Wall signs
shall include all signs such as awning/canopy signs, marquee signs, or any other similar signs,
but shall not include signs defined herein as window signs.
Window area.The window area of a storefront shall be the total square footage of all glass
areas of a storefront. This would include all areas of glass windows, doors, side lights and
transoms, fixed or operable, located on the elevation of the building or storefront on which the
front door or primary entrance to the establishment is located.
Window sign.Any sign located within a window or upon the inside surface or outside surface of
the window glass used to attract such attention located within the premises. Signs which are
located within three (3) feet from the window opening shall be considered a window sign.
Such window signs shall include, but not be limited to, signs indicating professional/financial
affiliations, services and products, menus/price lists, opening hours, and other similar type
signs.
Window sign area.The total area of the imaginary rectangles contiguous to and surrounding
each word, picture, logo, logotype, symbol, banding or graphic, as a percentage of the total
ground or second floor window area of the premise as it may apply in accordance to this
Ordinance.
City of Opa-locka, FL
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V.SIGN PLAN REQUIRED
A. Purpose. The purpose of a Sign Plan is to encourage diversity, creativity, uniformity of all
signs for more aesthetically pleasing development. Signage shall be in compliance with an
approved Sign Plan. Owners, or their authorized designee shall submit a proposed Sign Plan in
an application form approved by the City, with established fees, to the Director.
B. Approval Required. Unless otherwise provided in this Ordinance, approval of a Sign Plan
by the City shall be required prior to the issuance of a sign permit to install, alter, erect,
construct, post, paint, maintain, or relocate any sign.
The issuance of a Sign Permit is subject to a two-step process:
I. Sign Plan Approval With Community Development Department
II. Sign Plan Permit With the Building Department
It shall be unlawful for any person to install, alter, erect, construct, post, paint, maintain, or
relocate, within the municipal limits of the City of Opa-locka any sign, unless otherwise exempt
by this Ordinance, without first having obtained a permit from the City, and/or have a valid
permit for said work. Said permit shall be issued by the Building Department only after
determination has been made by the Community Development Department that full
compliance with all conditions of this Ordinance have been met and complied with. Before any
permit is issued, an application for such permit shall be filed on a form approved by the City
with the established fee.
Applicants must obtain Sign Plan Approval from the Community Development Department, per
the process outlined in V.A of this ordinance. The Department, if it approves the application,
will issue a letter to the Applicant which then can be brought to the Building Department to
obtain a Sign Plan Permit.
C. Community Development Sign Plan Approval Process:
Sign Plan Inclusions. The Sign Plan shall include all signs to be installed within the property,
including any out parcels to be and/or developed sharing common driveways and parking.
1. Submittal Information. In addition to all customary and required submittal
information required for permitting, permit applications involving signs shall, at
minimum, include:
(a) A drawing of the subject site showing the proposed sign location and
distance from property lines and from other signs on the site and
adjacent properties;
(b) A dimensioned elevation drawing showing the sign area calculations,
proposed sign area, height and other dimensions, stress/wind load levels,
and proposed illumination , areas of changeable copy, if applicable; and
(c) Landscape plan indicating plant material and ground cover.
City of Opa-locka, FL
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Land Development Code
(d) All other information as may be necessary to fully advise and acquaint the
issuing department to determine compliance within this Ordinance, the
Florida Building Code, and other applicable codes adopted by the City.
This shall include the sign copy for each sign, including but not limited to
logos, trademarks, etc., as well as the type of sign, including, but not
limited to, the type of lettering i.e. channel letters or cabinet style, color,
materials, changeable copy area, etc.
2. Procedure
(a) Investigation/Time Limits
Upon the receipt of a completed permit application and upon payment of
the appropriate permit fee by the applicant, the City Manager or designee
shall promptly conduct an investigation of the application, the proposed
sign and the premises. The City Manager or designee shall grant or deny
the permit application within 30 days from the date the completed
application with application fee was filed with the city manager or
designee.
(b) Issuance or Denial of Permit
(1) Sign Plan Criteria. In reviewing the sign plan the City Manager or
designee shall determine if the following criteria has been met:
(a) That the signage for the project is in keeping with the
overall architecture and character of the building
development, etc.
(b) That the signage for the project is designed to meet the
directional needs of the project for communication,
identification, way finding, regulatory and informational
messages in keeping with the overall architectural theme of
the development or project.
(c) That the signage proposed is legible, conspicuous and
easily readable.
(d) That the visibility and impact of the type of sign, number of
signs, design, size, method of, construction, illumination
and location of the proposed signs are in compliance with
the minimum standards of this Ordinance, and does not
adversely impact adjoining properties, or create a hazard of
health risk.
(e) That the proposed signage is consistent and not in conflict
with the intent and interests of the City of Opa-locka, as
stated in the policy adopting this code.
(2) If, after review and investigation as required herein, the City
Manager or designee determines that the application meets the
requirements contained in this chapter and determines the
proposed sign will not violate any building, electrical or other
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(3)
adopted codes of the city, including the provisions of this
ordinance, the city manager or designee shall issue the permit.
The City Manager or designee shall have authority to refuse the
issuance of or revoke any license or permit issued under the
provisions of this article if the application submitted shall not
comply with provisions in this article. In addition, the Director
shall have the authority to refuse issuance of permit approval if:
(a) The application for a permit contains a fraudulent
statement or misrepresentation;
(b) The activity licensed or regulated fails to deposit the
necessary and proper monies required by the applicable
ordinances or if the applicant owes outstanding monies to
the City..
(c) The activity advertised is conducted in an unlawful manner,
or in a manner which constitutes a breach of the peace or a
menace to the health, safety or general welfare of the City.
(d) The proposed sign would violate any building, electrical or
other adopted codes of the City.
A copy of the report shall be sent by certified mail to the
designated return address of the applicant on the application.
(4) If the application is denied, the applicant may submit a corrected
application within fourteen (14) days of the notice of denial
without additional cost, and staff will review the corrected plan
within fourteen (14) days of receipt of resubmission. If the
applicant does not resubmit a corrected application within
fourteen (14) days of the notice of denial, a new sign plan approval
application and fee will have to be submitted, and the City will
have an additional thirty (30) days to review the new application.
3. Appeals. The decision of the City Manager or designee to grant or deny a sign
permit is an administrative decision. Any person aggrieved by the action of the
City Manager or designee in the denial or revocation of any permit or license
shall have the right of appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Appeal shall be
taken by filing a written statement setting forth the grounds for appeal with the
Board within fourteen (14) days after written notice of denial or revocation. The
Commission shall set a time and place for hearing the appeal and notice of
hearing shall be given to the appellant five (5) days prior to the hearing. The
decision and order of the Board shall be final and conclusive. Such appeal shall
be submitted on a form approved by the City and accompanied with a fee as
established in the City's Schedule of Fees.
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A. Variances Whereas it is the attempt of this sign code to reduce the proliferation of the
number, size and types of signs, and whereas it has been determined that less -obtrusive
signs will ultimately lead to a healthier economy within the City of Opa-locka, therefore
no sign shall be permitted to be installed, altered, erected, constructed, posted, painted,
maintained, or relocated, contrary to the provisions of this Ordinance unless a variance
or waiver is approved by a majority vote in favor of granting such a variance and waiver
by the members of the Opa-locka City Commission:
1. A decision to grant a variance must be in conformance with the following criteria
and procedure:
(a) The variance is limited to height and/or setback requirements.
{a)(b) There is something unique about the building or site configuration that
would cause the signage permitted by this Ordinance to be ineffective in
identifying a use or structure that would otherwise be entitled to a sign.
(h)(c) The grant of a variance is not contrary to the plan and intent of the sign
code or any adopted redevelopment plan or policies, the aesthetics of the
area, and does not create a nuisance or adversely affect any neighboring
properties.
{±)(d) The sign provides certain aesthetics, landmark recognition, or public
benefit that is in the best interest and general welfare of the City, without
detrimental impacts to the surrounding area.
2. A variance may be petitioned as set forth below:
(a) Complete an Application as provided by the Department of Community
Development with the established fee.
(b) Provide evidence that the granting of the variance or waiver is consistent
with the criteria set forth above for the granting of such variance or
waiver.
3. All variances to this Ordinance shall only be granted pursuant to the above
provisions, and after a public hearing. All variances may be conditioned on
requirements deemed necessary in granting said variance.
4. Any variance granted pursuant to this section shall become null and void if a
building permit for the approved sign is not applied for within 180 days of the
written ruling from the Opa-locka City Zoning Board of Appeals. The Director
may issue an extension for up to an additional 180 days providing written
request with just cause and reason is provided prior to the expiration of the
original 180 day period. Additionally, said variance shall become null and void in
the event that a permit expires or is revoked.
5. All signs approved by this waiver process must be constructed and installed as
substantially in compliance with the information and plans presented to the
Opa-locka Zoning Board of Appeals both in writing and verbally. Failure to
construct or erect a sign substantially in compliance with the information and
plans presented shall render the variance null and void, and any sign installed,
erected not in substantial compliance with the information and plans provided
for the variance shall be considered an illegal sign.
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VI. SIGN PERMIT REQUIRED
It shall be unlawful for any person to install, alter, erect, construct, post, paint, maintain, or
relocate, within the municipal limits of the City of Opa-locka any sign, unless otherwise exempt
by this Ordinance, without first having obtained a permit from the City, and/or have a valid
permit for said work. Said permit shall be issued by the City Manager or his designee only after
determination has been made that full compliance with all conditions of this Ordinance have
been met and complied with. Before any permit is issued, an application for such permit shall
be filed on a form approved by the City with the established fee.
The approval of a sign permit may require compliance with the Florida
Building Code, and/or other provisions of this Ordinance. Signs required
to comply with the Florida Building Code shall be filed as a building
permit under the City's established building permit process and
procedures.
A. Permit Duration and Extension.
4. Except for permits issued as part of a building permit which shall have duration
in conformity with the Florida Building Code, or as such other duration criteria
as may be otherwise set forth in this Ordinance, sign permits shall expire within
ninety (90) days from date of issuance.
5. If a sign permit shall expire, a new sign permit with established fee(s) shall be
required prior to any sign being installed, altered, erected, constructed, posted,
painted, maintained, or relocated.
6. The City Manager or Designee may extend such permit for up to a ninety (90)
day period with just cause and reason being provided by the applicant.
7. Petition for extension shall be filed with the City Manager or Designee on a form
approved by the City with the established fee for the extension request. If a
petition for extension is filed more than fifteen (15) days prior to the expiration
of the permit and if the extension is granted, the applicable sign permit fee shall
not be required.
B) Identification of Permit Holder Required.Each sign requiring a permit shall have
affixed on each sign the permit number of which the sign was installed, erected, or
mounted under, and the sign owner's name and address. For signs not reasonably
visible from ground level, such information shall be kept readily available for inspection
by the sign owner.
VII. GENERAL:
A. Permitted and Prohibited Signs, General Statement. Signs that are specifically
identified, defined, listed and/or otherwise authorized by this Ordinance shall be
permitted as set forth herein. Signs that are not specifically defined, identified, listed
and/or otherwise authorized shall be prohibited.
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B. Compliance with Building Codes.All signs shall conform to the requirements of the
building, electrical, and other applicable technical codes, except as may be otherwise
provided herein.
C. Compliance with Zoning Codes.No sign shall be erected or used to advertise any
use or matter which would conflict with the regulations for the district in which it is
located or be in conflict with the use permitted under the Certificate of Occupancy for
the property.
D. Conflicts between Sign Ordinance Districts. Where overlaps occur in Ordinance
standards, such as at intersections, or in areas with different or overlapping districts,
the stricter ordinance standards shall apply.
E. Qualification and Certification of Erector.Where the erection of any sign requires
compliance with any Miami-DadeCounty technical code, the erector of the sign shall
qualify with the respective examining board.
F. Fees Required.No sign, where a sign permit is required with established fee(s) shall
be installed, altered, erected, constructed, posted, painted, maintained, or relocated,
unless the required permit fees are paid.
G. Responsibility for Sign.The owner and/or tenant of the premises, and the owner
and/or erector or benefactor of the sign shall be held responsible for any violation of
this Ordinance; provided, however, that when the sign has been erected in accordance
with this chapter, the sign company shall be relieved of further responsibility after final
approval of the sign.
H. Inspection.No sign shall be approved for use, unless the same shall have been
inspected by the Department issuing the permit, and no sign shall be erected or used
unless it complies with all the requirements of this chapter and applicable technical
codes. The holder of a permit for a sign shall request inspections of a sign as follows:
6. Foundation inspection shall include method of fastening to building or other
approved structure.
7. Shop inspection shall include electrical and/or structural where indicated on the
permit and/or approved plan.
8. Final Inspection shall include structural framing, electrical work identification of
permit number and erector of sign, etc.
9. Additional inspections may be specified on the permit and/or approved plans.
I. Maintenance.Every sign, together with its framework, braces, angles, or other
supports, shall be well -maintained in appearance and in a good and safe condition,
properly secured, supported and braced and able to withstand wind pressures as
required by the Florida Building Code or any other regulatory code or ordinance in
effect within City limits.
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10. In the event that a wall sign is removed, all anchor holes shall be filled and
covered in a manner that renders the anchor holes non -discernable with the wall
within sixty (60) days of the removal of such sign.
11. All lights and luminous tubes illuminating a sign shall be maintained in working
condition. All replacement bulbs and lenses shall be of the same wattage and
color as the light it is replacing unless a change is required to meet existing Code
requirements.
12. All landscaping required and provided with monument signs shall be properly
maintained in appearance and good safe conditions.
13. Abandoned signs shall be removed within ninety (90) continuous days of being
abandoned, or all copy shall be removed with a blank sign face; or shall be
appropriately be covered shielded in a professional manner, no sign face shall be
allowed to be open or otherwise incomplete so as to appear abandoned or in
disrepair.
VIII. SIGNS PERMITTED WITHOUT SIGN PERMIT
The exemption from a sign permit shall not be construed to waive or otherwise exempt
compliance with the Florida Building Code, other provisions of this Ordinance, or other
applicable technical codes.
A. Signs Exempt from Permit Requirements. The following signs may be installed,
altered, erected, constructed, posted, painted, maintained, or relocated, without a
permit from the City or payment of a sign permit fee:
1. Traffic control and parking signs. Traffic control and parking signs required by
law, and/or safety design standards.
2. Authorized signs in rights -of -way. Signs installed in the rights -of -way by
authorized authorities as may be required by law or permitted otherwise.
3. Public safety and information signs. Signs installed on the property that are
required by law for public safety or information purposes.
4. Nameplate signs. Nameplate signs installed on residential property not
exceeding 2 square feet.
5. Safety, caution or no trespassing signs. Signs that are installed on the property
for the purpose of indicating a safety, caution, or no trespassing, or other similar
type message. Such signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet in size, and may be
posted on the building, fence or structure on the property at eye level and may
not serve any advertising purpose.
6. Memorial signs. Memorial signs erected by duly authorized public authorities
and in compliance with provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
7. Utility company signs. Signs erected by utility companies not exceeding two (2)
square feet, serving no advertising purpose.
8. Signs within enclosed buildings. Signs within enclosed buildings or structures
which are so located that they are not intended to be visible from public or
private streets or adjacent properties providing said signs do not pose a
hazardous or health risk.
9. Temporary holiday and national event signage. Temporary holiday and national
event signage provided said signage and decorations carry no advertising matter
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and further provided that such signage is not installed more than sixty (60) days
for a single event and is removed within seven (7) days after the event ends.
10. Special event signs. Special event signs approved by the city for a city sponsored
or approved special event.
11. Flags. Flags, subject to compliance with provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
12. Real estate signs. Real estate signs for residential uses, subject to compliance
with provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
13. Political campaign signs. Political campaign signs, subject to compliance with
provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
14. Banner signs. Banner signs, subject to compliance with provisions set forth
herein. Banners and other decorative materials in conjunction with an event
conducted pursuant to a dedication, a grand opening, or a going out of business
promotion are permitted without a sign permit. Such banners and decorative
materials are not to be posted more than thirty (30) days preceding the event,
and are to be removed within seven (7) days following the end of the event.
15. Inflatable/Balloon signs. Balloon signs, subject to compliance with provisions set
forth in this Ordinance.
16. Spot/Search light signs. Spot light signs, subject to compliance with provisions
set forth in this Ordinance.
17. Changeable copy signs. Changeable copy signs manual and automated, subject to
compliance with the provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
18. Change of window sign copy. Change of window sign copy provided such copy is
in compliance with the approved sign window plan and/or sign plan subject to
compliance with provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
IX. NONCONFORMING SIGNS/AMORTIZATION
Any lawful permanent sign installed, erected, prior to the adoption of this Ordinance that does
not comply with the regulations set forth herein, shall be removed or altered to comply with
the applicable regulations of this Ordinance within five (5) years of the date of adoption of this
Ordinance.
B. Amortization of Non -conformities. Legally existing signs that become non-
conforming as of the effective date of the adoption of this Ordinance shall maintain
legally non -conforming status for a period of five (5) years, with exceptions as herein
contained. At that time, all signs not in compliance shall become illegal signs. It shall be
unlawful for any sign owner not to be in compliance with the following amortization
provisions, with exceptions as herein contained:
1. Within two (2) years of the effective date of this Ordinance, all owners of legally
nonconforming signs are required to prepare and submit to the City a proposed
Sign Plan in accordance to regulations herein.
2. Within three (3) years of the effective date of this Ordinance, all owners of
legally nonconforming signs are required to have an approved Sign Plan in
compliance with this Ordinance.
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3. Within five (5) years of the effective date of this Ordinance, all legally
nonconforming signs and their supporting members shall be altered, and/or
removed from the property.
4. The City may deny the issuance of any licenses, permits, certificates of
occupancy, certificates of use, etc., to an owner if it is determined that the
amortization Ordinance is not being complied with.
C. Amortization of Non -Conformities in Newly Annexed Areas. Legally existing signs in
areas annexed by Opa-locka which become non -conforming as of the effective date of
the adoption of this ordinance, shall maintain legally non -conforming status for a period
of five (5) years from the date of annexation or from the date of subsequently adopted
changes to the ordinance as provided4e-rin VIII A, whichever time period is greater,
with exceptions as herein contained.It shall be unlawful for any sign owner not to be in
compliance with the following amortization provisions, with exceptions as herein
contained:
1. Within two (2) years of the effective date of Annexation, unless superseded by a
new Sign Ordinance as provided for in VIII.A., all owners of legally
nonconforming signs are required to prepare and submit to the City a proposed
Sign Plan in accordance to regulations herein.
2. Within three (3) years of the effective date of Annexation, unless superseded by
a new Sign Ordinance- as provided for in VIII.A., all owners of legally
nonconforming signs are required to have an approved Sign Plan in compliance
with this Ordinance.
3. Within five (5) years of the effective date of Annexation, unless superseded by a
new Sign Ordinanceas provided for in VIII.A., all legally nonconforming
signsshall be altered and/or removed from the property.
4. The City may deny the issuance of any licenses, permits, certificates of
occupancy, certificates of use, etc., to an owner if it is determined that the
amortization Ordinance is not being complied with.
D. Exception for Monument Signs Along Collector Roads. Freestanding and monument
signs that were lawfully existing prior to October 1,2013that do not comply with the
regulations set forth herein, shall remain legally non -conforming signs subject to the
following:
1. The total sign area and sign height does not exceed the maximum allowable
amounts as may be permitted under the regulations set forth herein this
Ordinance.
2. The sign shall be landscaped, repaired and maintained accordingly in
compliance with regulations set forth in this Sign Code. All landscape
requirements shall be met within five (5) years of the adoption of this
Ordinance.
3. If the sign is relocated; moved; or altered at a cost greater than fifty percent
(50%) of the assessed value of the sign; the legal non -conforming status shall be
lost and the sign shall be in required to be in compliance with the regulations set
forth herein this Ordinance.
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E. Exception for Window Signs.Window signs shall be in compliance with the provisions
set forth in this Ordinance as outlined in the amortization Ordinance below:
1. An owner of a window sign shall submit a window sign plan, consistent and in
compliance with the provisions of submitting a sign plan within ninety (90) days
of adoption of this Ordinance.
2. Window signs shall be in compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance
within one hundred eighty (180) days of the adoption of this Ordinance.
F. Exception for Temporary Signs. All legally existing temporary signs shall be in
compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance within ninety (90) days of adoption of
this Ordinance.
G. Exception for Billboards. This amortization period shall not apply to billboard (Class C
in the Miami -Dade County Code) signs that were lawfully erected on the date of
adoption of this code. These signs shall be permitted as legally nonconforming signs.
Said signs shall be subject to below provisions regarding Maintenance and Repair of
Nonconforming Signs.
H. Sign Plan Compliance.In addition to the amortization provisions herein, whenever a
sign owner desires to replace, alter, relocate a sign on a property, and/or the repair and
maintenance is not in compliance with regulations governing same as specified in this
Ordinance herein, a Sign Plan in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance shall
be prepared and submitted. Upon approval of the sign plan under this compliance
provision, only the applicable sign(s) shall be required to be brought into compliance.
All other signs approved on the sign plan shall be brought into compliance in
accordance to the amortization Ordinance specified herein.
I. Multi -tenant Sign Plan Compliance.When sign plan is required for multi -tenant
development, and an individual sign owner(s) seeks a sign permit for any type of
permanent sign, the property owner shall file a sign plan with the City in accordance to
the provisions set forth in this Ordinance within sixty (60) days of sign permit being
filed. Failure to file such sign plan within the prescribed time frame, shall be a violation
of this Ordinance by the property owner. The City may review the individual sign
permit(s) and issue a permit as warranted to individual sign owner(s), and shall require
future sign permits on same property to be in compliance with the criteria set forth in
this Ordinance herein for sign plan review, and subject to sign permits approved on the
property.
Maintenance and Repair of Non -conforming Signs. Non -conforming signs shall be
maintained in a safe condition and may be repaired and/or otherwise maintained
provided the sign structure is not moved, altered or replaced; provided, that the
cumulative costs of such repair and/or maintenance does not exceed fifty percent
(50%) of the replacement value of the sign. If so, the sign shall be made to be in
compliance with the provisions set forth in this Ordinance. This provision shall apply to
City of Opa-locka, FL
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Land Development Code
situations of necessary repair resulting from fire, flood, explosion, wind, war, riot, or
any other an act of force majeure.
K. Memorial plaques, such as those of a non -advertising nature involving building
identification signs and building cornerstones when cut or carved into a masonry
surface or when made of a noncombustible material and made an integral part of the
building or structure shall be exempt.
X.SIGNAGE DESIGN STANDARDS
The following design standards shall be applied and complied within the design of all signs,
unless specifically set forth differently in this Ordinance.
A. Monument Sign Dimensional Standards.
1. Sign Area Monument Signs.
(a) In computing sign area, standard geometry formulas for common shapes
shall be used. Common shapes shall include squares, rectangles,
trapezoids and triangles. In the case of irregular shapes, the total sign
area will be the area of the smallest common shape that encompasses the
various components of the sign.
(b) For monument signs, the support base above grade shall be deemed to be
part of the sign.
(c) Only one (1) face of a sign is used for the calculation, provided the two (2)
sign faces are less than 30 degrees to each other and/or no more than one
1.5 feet exists between them. Where the sign faces are spaced greater
than 1.5' apart and greater than 30 degrees then each face shall be
calculated towards the permitted sign area.
Figure 0-1- Sign Area for Multi -Face Signs
2. Sign Spacing Monument Signs.
(a) When measuring the spacing between monument signs the distance shall
be measured in a straight line from the closest part of one sign structure
to closest part on another sign structure or building or structure.
(b) When measuring the spacing between signs on the different rights -of -way
the measurement shall be taken along the perimeter of the property line
and/or then taken perpendicular to signs located across such rights -of -
way.
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(c) Spacing between signs and a building or structure shall be the shortest
distance measured from the closest part of the sign structure to the
closest part of the building facade.
3. SignHeightMonument Signs.
(a) When measuring the height of a monument sign the measurement shall
be the vertical distance from the top of the grade to the top of the
monument sign's highest component, including all structural
components.
Figure o-1— Sign Area for Multi -Face Signs
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FOR ANGLES GREATER THAN
30 DEGREES
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r Ammo.
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4mmor
Amor
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Annoy
d11r 1
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SIGN AREA = FACE A + FACE B
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FACE D
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IOW MI 11111■■1■ 111
FACE B
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FOR SEPARATIONS GREATER THAN
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SIGN AREA = FACE A + FACE B + FACE C + FACE D
MONUMENT SIGN - PLAN VIEW
CALCULATION OF SIGN AREA
FOR MULTI -FACE SIGNS
N.T.S.
(b) Grade shall be construed to be the newly established grade after
construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding or excavating
solely for the purpose of locating the sign.
B. Monument Sign Design Standards.The City seeks to achieve uniform and coordinated
monument and freestanding signage within each development. Coordinated signage is
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Land Development Code
created by consistency in the sign size, type, copy area, letters, location, color, and type
of sign. In designing monument signs the following standards shall be complied with:
1. Design.
(a) The monument sign shall be a freestanding sign where the supporting
structure of the sign face is architecturally and aesthetically integrated
into the overall design of the sign.
(b) The base of supporting structure shall be embellished to conceal all
structural or support members.
(c) Eighty percent (80%) of the base supporting structure shall be in contact
with the ground, but does not have to be a solid base. The base
supporting structure may be designed as multiple bases provided that the
overall base in contact with the ground shall be a minimum of eighty
(80%) percent.
2. Architectural design.
(a) Monument and other freestanding signs should incorporate architectural
elements from the primary building. Architectural elements may include
materials, textures, colors, shapes, ornamentation or other features
characteristic of a style.
3. Landscaping.
(a) A minimum of fifty (50) square feet of landscaping around the base of the
sign should be provided, or an amount and type meeting the approval of
the Director.
(b) Plant material shall be selected to complement and enhance the sign, and
a hedge no less than two (2) feet in height shall be provided to buffer the
base of the sign.
(c) Such landscape should be permanently irrigated with an in -ground
irrigation system or irrigated in a manner approved by the Director.
4. Illumination.
(a) Monument signs may be illuminated internally or externally.
(b) All internal illumination components shall be enclosed and shielded from
view.
(c) All external illumination components shall be shielded, buffered, and
concealed as to not be visible from the adjacent rights -of -ways.
(d) All illumination should be environmentally friendly and energy efficient,
which should include, but is not limited to, the use of solar energy or
other alternative sources of energy.
5. Setback.
(a) Monument signs shall be setback from all property lines a minimum of
seven (7) feet.
6. Spacing.
(a) Monument signs shall be:
(1) Spaced a minimum of ten (10) feet from any building.
(2) Spaced a minimum of twenty five (25) feet from another
monument sign.
7. Proportion.
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(a) Monument signs should be proportionate in height and width at a ratio of
1.0 to 1.5, in either orientation, however, the width shall not exceed ten
feet (10).
8. Height.
(a) Maximum height of monument signs shall be 15 ft unless otherwise
provided for.
9. Location.
(a) Monument signs shall not be located in the sight distance triangle.
(b) Shall not be located as to interfere with public alarms, signals, or signs.
(c) No sign or support shall be placed in such position or manner as to
obstruct or interfere, either physically or visually, with any fire alarm,
police alarm, traffic signal or sign or any devices maintained by or under
public authority.
(d) Monument signs shall be orientated to be between 45 degrees and 90
degrees to the abutting right-of-way.
10. Sign Copy Single Use Development.
(a) Sign copy for single use development shall be limited to the primary
name of the business, trademarked logos and/or slogans, and street
address number. All other copy shall be prohibited.
(b) Copy should be identical on all faces of the sign.
11. Sign Copy Multi-use/Multi-tenant Development.
(a) Sign copy for multi-use/multi-tenant/mix-use development shall be
limited to one (1) primary name of the business or complex or shopping
center, and may list individual uses and tenants provided such lettering
for the listing is a minimum of one (1) foot in height.
(b) Copy may include the business name, registered trademarks, logos
and/or slogans. One street address number per sign. All other copy is
prohibited.
(c) Copy should be identical on all faces of the sign.
12. Changeable Copy Sign Manual Standards. Monument signs with changeable copy
shall be permitted subject to compliance to the following standards:
(a) The manual changeable copy portion of the sign shall be integrated into
the design of the sign. Such changeable copy portions of the sign shall not
be an "add -on" but rather must be fully integrated into the sign.
(b) The manual changeable copy area shall not exceed thirty (30) percent of
the total sign area.
(c) Changeable copy shall be limited to advertising events, items and pricing,
announcements, specials, slogans directly related to the sign owner. All
other copy shall be prohibited. The changing of copy on such signs shall
not require a sign permit.
(d) Manual changeable copy shall not change more than once a day.
(e) Changeable copy shall only be permitted on monument signs. Changeable
copy on wall signs, window signs or any other sign, are prohibited.
13. Automatic Changeable Copy Signs Standards. Monument signs with automatic
changeable copy shall be permitted subject to compliance to the following
standards:
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(a) The automatic changeable copy area portion of the sign shall be
integrated into the design of the monument sign. Such changeable copy
portions of the sign shall not be an "add -on" but rather must be fully
integrated into the sign design.
(b) Automated changeable copy area shall not exceed thirty (30) percent of
the total sign area permitted for the monument signs.
(c) A maximum of one (1) monument sign with automatic changeable copy
per property/development shall be permitted.
(d) Automatic changeable copy on monument signs shall only be permitted
on properties/developments with a minimum lot frontage of two
hundred (200) lineal feet on an arterial and collector roadway as defined
herein.
(e) The minimum distance between monument signs with automatic
changeable copy shall be five hundred (500) feet.
(0 Incandescent lamps/bulbs in excess of 9 watts are prohibited in an
automatic changeable copy sign. Incandescent lamps/bulbs shall not be
exposed but shall be covered by translucent lenses or filters. The
automatic changeable copy portion of the sign shall be equipped with an
automatic operational night dimming device.
(g) The following operating modes shall be prohibited:
(1) Flash: The condition created by displaying the same message
intermittently by turning it on and off, on and off, with rapidity, or
any other delivery mode that creates a flashing effect.
(2) Zoom: The look or condition created by expanding a message from
a central point to its full size.
(3) Stop or danger: Any signs which use the word "stop" or "danger"
or imply the need or requirement of stopping, or which are copies
or imitations of official signs.
(4) Any color combination of revolving or flashing light giving the
impression of a police, fire, or caution light shall be prohibited.
(h) Automated changeable copy shall be limited to advertising events, items
and pricing, announcements, specials, slogans directly related to the
sign's owner. All other copy shall be prohibited. The changing of copy on
such signs shall not require a sign permit.
(i) Prior to the installation and use, all owners of monument signs with
automatic changeable copy shall file and record a declaration of use,
meeting the approval of the Director, on a form prescribed and approved
by the Director, which will govern the operation of the changeable copy
and contain penalties for abatement and removal of the sign for violations
of the declaration of use and the provisions herein.
(I) Automatic changeable copy shall only be permitted on monument signs.
Automatic changeable copy on wall signs, window signs or any other sign,
are prohibited.
C. Wall Sign Dimensional Standards.
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1. Sign area wall signs.
(a) In calculating the area of wall signs, or window signs, individual words or
components (i.e. logos, trademarks, slogans, major products, services,
etc), may be considered separate signs only if they are obviously
disassociated from other copy. When signs are enclosed in a border or
highlighted by background graphics, the perimeter of such border or
background will be used to compute sign area. The total area of
components and copy shall be used to determine the total wall sign or
window sign area.
(b) When calculating the permitted square feet of the wall sign area, it shall
be calculated based on ten percent (10%) of the area of the building
facade up to fifteen (15) feet in height, then the area shall be increased by
one and half percent (1.5%) for each foot of building height above the
fifteen (15) feet with the uppermost measurement taken to the lowest
part or position where the sign will be placed.
(c) The building facade used towards the calculation shall only be the facade
the sign is proposed to be affixed.
D. Wall Sign Design Standards. The City seeks to achieve uniform and coordinated
signage within each development. Coordinated wall signage is created by consistency in
the sign size, type, copy area, letters, location, color, and type of sign. In designing wall
signs the following standards shall be complied with (Figure 0-2 - Wall Sign
Calculations DiagramFigure 0 2 Wall Sign Calculations Diagram).
1. Design. Wall signs shall only be of channel lettering and reverse channel
lettering type and design, and cabinet signs shall only be permitted up to a
maximum of twenty percent (20%) of the total wall sign area and cabinet signs
shall only be used to display copy of registered trademarks, logos, and/or
slogans.
2. Multiple Signs. Where multiple wall signs with the same sign copy are to be
placed on different building facades for the same sign owner/tenant/business
each wall sign should be identical in design, save and except the applicable
maximum permitted sign area may be different, and location of placement may
be different.
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Land Development Code
Figure 0-2—Wall Sign Calculations Diagram
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3. Channel Lettering Signs.
(a) Channel lettering shall be located as to be centered on the building
facade, or the proportionate share of the facade, it is affixed to.
(b) Anchor stores are not required to have the channel letter signs centered
on the building facade.
(c) Copy should be of all the same font type, however, lettering size and type,
colors, trademarked logos and slogans, common to the business may be
used.
4. Cabinet signs.
(a) If cabinet signs are used to display registered trademarks, logos, and/or
slogans, the cabinet sign shall be integrated as intended to be viewed as
one wall sign.
City of Opa-locka, FL
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Land Development Code
(b) A cabinet sign up to twenty percent (20%) of the permitted wall sign area
may be used to display a registered trademark, logo, or slogan on a
building fagade, without the permitted channel lettering.
5. Location.
(a) No wall sign shall extend above the roofline except where an exterior
parapet wall projects above the roofline, in which case, such sign may not
extend above the top edge of the parapet.
(b) Wall signs shall not be allowed on a building fagade abutting a single
family zoned or developed property.
(c) Wall signs shall be located as to not interfere with public alarms, signals,
or signs. No sign or support shall be placed in such position or manner as
to obstruct or interfere, either physically or visually, with any fire alarm,
police alarm, traffic signal or sign or any devices maintained by or under
public authority.
6. Proportion. Wall signs shall not extend beyond 75% of the width of the building
fagade or the tenant's proportionate share of the building fagade.
7. Projection. Wall signs shall not project more than twelve (12) inches from the
building surface where it is affixed.
8. Sign Copy.
(a) Sign copy for wall signs shall be limited to only the primary name of the
business, major service and brands, or major tenant, and registered
trademarks, logos, graphics and/or slogans, directories. All other copy
shall be prohibited.
(b) Wall signs shall not contain more than three (3) lines of copy; when a
third line is used, one of the three (3) lines shall not be greater than fifty
percent (50%) the height of the line with the greatest line height.
9. Proportion. Wall signs shall not extend beyond 75% of the width of the building
fagade or the tenant's proportionate share of the building facade.
10. Projection. Wall signs shall not project more than twelve (12) inches from the
building surface where it is affixed.
11. Sign Copy.
(a) Sign copy for wall signs shall be limited to only the primary name of the
business, major service and brands, or major tenant, and registered
trademarks, logos, graphics and/or slogans, directories, All other copy
shall be prohibited.
(b) Wall signs shall not contain more than three (3) lines of copy; when a
third line is used, one of the three (3) lines shall not be greater than fifty
percent (50%) the height of the line with the greatest line height.
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E. Directional/Information Sign Design Standards.Directional/informational signs are
for the purpose of providing information and directions on -site to the general public,
and are not intended for advertising purposes. In designing directional and information
signage the following standards shall be complied with:
1. Design.Directional/Informational signs may be freestanding mounted on a pole
type or monument type structure or of a type intended to be affixed flush to or
perpendicular to a wall.
2. Size. Directional/Informational sign shall not exceed two (2) square feet in size.
Except that along collector and all other rights of way, directional/information
signs shall not exceed eight (8) square feet in size.
3. Number. The number of directional/information signs shall be limited to what
may be deemed necessary and adequate to provide the directions and the
information being conveyed as may be approved by a sign plan permit.
4. Setback. Freestanding directional/Informational signs for traffic control, or to
indicate "entrance" and "exit" shall be setback a minimum of five (5) feet from
any property line.
5. Spacing.Freestanding Directional/informational signs shall be spaced a
minimum of ten (10) feet from each other.
6. Height.
(a) Freestanding directional/information signs shall not exceed thirty 30
inches in height, measured from the base of the sign to the uppermost
point.
(b) Wall mounted directional/informational signs may be mounted at eye
level as to be visible to the general public and not intended to be visible
from the right-of-way. Except that along Collector and other Rights of
Way, such signs may be wall mounted as to provide adequate visibility
and directions as deemed necessary and as may be approved by a sign
plan permit.
(c) If suspended from a ceiling or structure minimum clearance shall be 9.0
feet from grade, or if over a vehicle driveway, travel lane minimum
clearance shall be 14.0 feet from grade.
7. Location.
(a) Directional/information signs may be located within the sight distance
triangle providing the sign is not greater than 30 inches in height.
(b) Wall mounted directional/informational signs may be mounted on walls,
fences, or suspended from a ceiling or structure.
(c) Wall mounted or suspended signs may be parallel or perpendicular to the
building wall.
(d) Notwithstanding compliance with these standards, no directional or
informational sign may be located on the property as to pose or create a
hazardous or health safety concern.
8. Illumination. Directional/Informational signs may be illuminated internally or
externally. If illuminated externally all components providing illumination shall
be adequately screened or recessed as to be no visible from the rights -of -way.
9. Copy.Directional/Informational signs shall only provide copy necessary to
provide adequate direction or information of which it is intended, and shall not
City of Opa-locka, FL
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L.cand Development Code
provide any advertising copy other than the name, logo of any
tenant/owner/occupant of the property.
F. Window Sign Standards.Window signs are intended to provide secondary signage to
allow for the day to day advertising and promotion of the business and/or services, but
not distract from the overall architectural design/features/character of the building.
For the purposes of this section a Window Sign shall be those signs which are affixed to
the window, as noted in Figure 0-3. In designing window signs the following standards
shall be complied with (Figure 0-3 - Window Sign Calculation Diagram):
1. Design. Window signs shall be professionally installed and/or professionally
framed and may be affixed to or displayed within the window area. Hand written
copy shall only be used with white boards or chalk boards.One (1) illuminated or
neon window sign shall be permitted subject to the sign area regulations herein.
Automatic changeable copy signs are prohibited as window signs.
Figure 0-3 - Window Sign Calculation Diagram
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Lana Development Code
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2. Area.
(a) For window signs located on the first or ground floor, the total area of all
signs affixed or displayed in the window shall not exceed twenty (20)
percent of the window area up to a maximum of forty (40) square feet.
(b) For window signs located on the second floor or above the ground floor,
the total area of all signs affixed or displayed in the window shall not
exceed ten (10) percent of the window area up to a maximum of twenty
(20) square feet.
(c) In calculating the total permitted window sign area only windows and
doors facing a right-of-way and/or windows on the main entrance of the
building, and only those windows that are on the ground floor shall be
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used for the calculation. Perimeter borders, stripes and bonding are
permitted but will count towards the calculation of window sign area.
(d) Window Sign Area shall not be counted towards the maximum wall sign
area allowed. Temporary real estate signs as may be permitted herein
shall not be counted towards the overall maximum sign area permitted.
(e) Illuminated or neon window signs shall be limited to a maximum size of
eight (8) square feet. Illuminated or neon sign areas shall count towards
the maximum sign area allowed.
3. Location.
(a) Window signs shall only be permitted on windows or doors located on
the first or ground floor and located on the second floor, and on windows
and doors on the facade facing a public right-of-way or commonly used as
the main entrance to the premises.
(b) Window signs shall not be permitted on windows above the ground in
multi -story buildings.
(c) All window signs shall be located within the same 20% area as depicted
on the approved window sign plan.
4. Copy.
(a) Window sign copy may include business name, logos graphics, and
slogans, primary products and services, emblems of professional and
financial affiliations, hours of operation, and other similar signage.
5. Display of merchandise.Display of merchandise in the window area, provided that it
does not press up against the window, shall not count towards the twenty (20) percent
for the size of a window sign, and shall be permitted as long as it is kept in a neat and
orderly fashion.
H. Entrance Feature Signs.Entrance feature signs shall be permitted on all residential
developments, and mix -use developments subject to compliance to the following
standards:
1. Number. One (1) entrance feature monument sign or two (2) entrance feature
wall signs.
2. Sign Area.
(a) A maximum entrance feature sign area of up to twenty four (24) square
feet for developments with less than one hundred (100) linear feet of lot
frontage on a right-of-way.
(b) Up to a maximum of sixty four (64) square feet for developments with
one hundred (100) lineal feet or greater of lot frontage on a right-of-way.
If two wall signs are used, the total area of both wall signs shall not
exceed the maximum area permitted.
3. Height.
(a) The maximum height of the monument sign shall be six (6) feet measured
from grade to the uppermost portion of the monument sign. In the event
the grade at the base of the sign is bermed the measurement shall be
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Land Development Code
taken from the grade at the closest right-of-way line to the uppermost
point of the sign.
(b) Maximum height of a wall sign shall be six (6) feet measured from grade
to the uppermost portion of the wall sign.
4. Separation.
(a) Entrance feature monument signs shall be separated from each other by a
minimum of two hundred (200) feet and from other freestanding signs by
at least fifty (50) feet.
(b) Entrance feature wall signs shall be separated by a minimum of twenty
five (25) feet of other wall signs.
5. Setback. Entrance feature monument signs shall setback a minimum of seven
(7) feet from a right-of-way line.
6. Location.
(a) Entrance feature monument signs may be located within twenty five (25)
feet of the entranceway, and shall not be located in the sight visibility
triangle.
(b) Entrance feature wall signs may be affixed to the perimeter
wall/fence/guardhouse of the development, and must be within twenty
five (25) of the entranceway.
7. Copy.
(a) Copy on entrance feature signs shall be limited to the name of the
development, developer's name and address street number.
(b) Sign copy shall be limited to no more than two (2) lines of text.
I. Directory Signs.Directory signs shall be permitted subject to compliance to the
following standards:
1. Number. One (1) directory sign shall be permitted for each multi-use/multi-
tenant building on the property.
2. Size. Directory signs shall be limited to three (3) square feet in size, and lettering
shall not exceed a maximum of three (3) inches in height.
3. Copy. Copy shall be limited to the names of tenants and businesses, and suite or
address number. All other copy shall be prohibited.
4. Location. Directory signs may be freestanding or affixed to the building facade,
and shall be setback at least twenty five (25) feet from a public right-of-way.
F1ags.Flags shall be permitted subject to compliance with all the following standards
and compliance with the United States Flag Code (36 U.S.C. 173-178) which is hereby
adopted and made part of this section by reference as if it were set forth herein.
Violations of the United States Flag Code shall be civil in nature. For the purposes of this
Sign Code, applicability of regulations regarding flags will be on a per Master Site Plan
basis, regardless of the amount of parcels which compose the Master Site Plan.
1. For non-residential, multi -family residential, commercial and industrial, and/or
mixed -use development.
(a) Number. A maximum of one (1) flag pole per property shall be permitted
on properties with lot frontages of one hundred (100) feet or less; a
maximum of two (2) flag poles for properties with lot frontages greater
City of Opa-locka, FL
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Land Development Code
than one hundred (100) feet up to two hundred (200) feet; and a
maximum of three (3) flag poles for properties with lot frontages of
greater than two hundred (200) feet. No more than three (3) flags shall
be flown on one (1) pole, with a maximum of up to three (3) flags per
property or development.
(b) Size. Maximum flag size shall be forty (40) square feet. The width of the
flag shall not be more than thirty (30) percent of the length of the pole to
which it is attached.
(c) Height. Maximum pole height shall be thirty (35) feet or not more than
ten (10) feet above the roof line of primary building, whichever is less.
(d) Location. All flags shall be flown on a ground mounted pole designed and
constructed as a flag pole, or affixed to a pole affixed to a building. The
pole shall be ground mounted and constructed according to the Florida
Building Code. If affixed to a building, the pole shall be no longer than 10
feet in length. No rooftop flags are permitted.
(e) Spacing. Multiple flag poles shall be grouped. They shall be located a
maximum of ten (10) feet from one another.
(0 Setback. Flag poles shall have a minimum ten (10) foot setback from all
property lines.
(g) Copy. Only flags with copy that has been professionally printed shall be
allowed. Flag copy must be of a non -advertising nature.
(h) Maintenance. Flags and flag poles shall be maintained in good condition
as to not be flailed or weathered.
2. For single family residential uses, duplexes, townhouses, and other residential
uses.
(a) Number. A maximum of one (1) flag shall be permitted per property.
(b) Size. Maximum size of the flag shall be limited to twenty four (24) square
feet.
(c) Height. Flag poles shall be limited to no greater than five (5) feet above
height of the residence or up to thirty five (35) feet, whichever is less.
(d) Location. All flags shall be flown on a flag pole either ground mounted or
on a pole affixed to a wall. Flags may only be located in the front yard or
rear yard only.
(e) Setback. Flag poles shall setback a minimum of ten (10) feet from front
property lines and five (5) feet from all other property lines.
(0 Copy. Only flags with copy that has been professionally printed shall be
allowed.Flag copy must be of a non -advertising nature.
(g) Maintenance. Flags and flag poles shall be maintained in good condition
as to not be flailed or weathered.
3. Flags In Mass Prohibited. The flags permitted by this subsection shall not be
used in mass in order to circumvent this subsection by using said flags primarily
as an advertising device.
K. Memorial Signs.Memorial signs shall be permitted on all non-residential, mixed -use,
and residential developments subject to compliance to the following standards:
1. Number. One (1) memorial sign per property.
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Land Development Code
2. Area. Memorial signs monument or wall type shall not exceed one (1) square
foot in size. Area of the foundation and/or base of a monument type memorial
signs shall not be calculated towards the permitted area of the sign.
3. Location. Wall type memorial signs may be located on the building facade but
not at a height greater than six (6) feet, and located a minimum of five (5) feet
from any other sign. Monument type memorial signs may be located on a base or
foundation not exceeding thirty (30) inches in height, and spaced a minimum of
five (5) from other signs on the property.
L. Gasoline Service Stations.Due to the unique retail service of gasoline service stations,
in addition to all the standards set forth herein, the following standards shall also be
permitted subject to compliance to the following standards:
1. Wall sign. In lieu of locating a wall sign on the building facade, a wall sign may be
affixed to the canopy facade.
2. Monument sign. In the event the permitted changeable copy of up to 30% of the
monument sign cannot accommodate the pricing regulations required by law,
the changeable copy may be increased the minimum amount for compliance.
3. Size. Wall sign on canopies shall be limited to up forty (40%) percent of the area
calculated as permitted for the building facade. Color schemes unique to the
registered brand shall not be included in calculating the permitted wall sign
area.
4. Gasoline Pumps. Signage on gasoline pumps may include customary and
required informational signage including but not limited to information and data
required by law, price, and credit card logos. Up to a total of four (4) square feet
of logos and brand identity signage shall be permitted to be located on each
gasoline pump. Signs, other than required by law, located on top of pumps shall
be prohibited.
5. Prohibited. Banners, either on or otherwise mounted/placed on/with or
connected to pumps shall be prohibited.
M. Theaters, Playhouses, and Other Similar Cultural or Civic Establishments.Due to
the changing nature and number of events or showings theaters, playhouses, and other
culturally orientated establishments may be permitted an additional changeable copy
signage. In addition, to standards set forth in this Ordinance, the following standards
shall be permitted subject to compliance to the following:
1. Number. Theaters, playhouses and other culturally orientated establishments
shall be permitted up to three (3) changeable copy signs.An additional and
optional changeable display for ticket pricing shall be allowed if the ticket office
can be accessed directly from a sidewalk right-of-way, and must be adjacent to
or above the ticket office window.
2. Sign Area.
(a) Changeable copy area shall be limited to up to seventy five (75) square
feet. Multiple screen theaters may be permitted additional changeable
copy not to exceed twenty-five (25) square feet per additional screen
greater than three (3), but not to exceed a total sign square footage of two
hundred (200) square feet of sign area. Total area shall include the area
City of Opa-locka, FL
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Land Development Code
of the changeable copy and the area of any poster display boxes or
frames.
(b) Box office changeable copy sign area shall not exceed the size of the ticket
box window with which it is associated.
3. Wall Sign. The changeable copy sign may be a cabinet wall sign allowing for
interchangeable copy, but shall only be affixed to the front building facade, or
facade of the main entrance.
4. Display Box. Posters and other advertisements shall be only affixed within a
professionally constructed display box or frame. Display boxes shall not exceed
standard poster sizes.
5. Marquees. For the purpose of counting signs, each face of a marquee shall count
as a sign.Marquee signs must be fifteen (15) feet from right -of way, and at least
five (5) feet from interior side property line. Maximum height is thirty (30) feet
from the average grade of the right of way to the top of the sign.
6. Copy. Changeable sign copy shall be limited to the title of the performance and
the MPAA rating. Display box copy shall be limited to posters.
N. Drive-Thru Menu Board Signs. Due to the unique retail service that restaurants
operating drive through lanes provide and the necessity for efficient and effective
service and the need for additional signage with changeable copy to service their
customers, restaurants with drive through lanes, in addition to signage that may be
permitted with compliance with standards in this Ordinance herein, shall be permitted
additional signage subject to compliance to the following standards:
1. Number. Two (2) menu board signs shall be permitted per drive through lane.
Drive through signs may be freestanding or affixed to a wall or one of each.
2. Size. Each drive through menu sign shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in
area. Lettering used in the copy shall not exceed six (6) inches in height.
3. Spacing. Each drive through menu sign shall be spaced at minimum of ten feet
(10) from each other, and from other freestanding signs on the property.
4. Height. Freestanding and signs affixed to a wall shall be not exceed six (6) feet in
height.
5. Location. Drive through menu signs shall be located as to be visible for the drive
through lane and not intentionally orientated to be visible for rights -of -way, or
drive aisles of the development.
Copy. Copy shall be limited to the menu items, pricing, specials, and
graphics/pictures typical of restaurant menus. Menu board signs may be all
changeable copy. All other copy shall be prohibited.
O. Public Art. Mural signs located within the City of Opa-Locka shall be permitted, subject
to the following conditions:
1. Compliance with Zoning Regulations. Mural signs shall be subject to zoning rules
in determination of permitted uses.
(a) Murals and other forms of Public Arts with no advertising materials shall
be subject to oversight by Public Arts Ordinances adopted by the City of
Opa-Locka and to compliance with provisions set forth in this Ordinance.
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Land Development Code
(b) The City Commission or a designated arts commission. Determination of
adherence to Public Arts ordinances for Mural signs of a non -advertising
nature shall fall under the jurisdiction by the City Commission or a
designated arts commission.
2. Mural advertising signs are expressively prohibited.
3. Murals shall only be placed on blank walls.
4. A mural sign shall be permitted to cover the entire blank portion of a wall of a
building.
5. Illumination of mural signs shall be limited to the hours of 6 pm to midnight.
XI.SIGNAGE ALONG PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL AND MINOR ARTERIAL
CORRIDORS (PAMA)
The signs permitted on property is determined by the property's location on the City's rights -
of -way as defined on theCity of Opa-locka Roadway Classification Map, and determined by the
type of use of the property. In addition to applicable criteria and design standards set forth in
this Ordinance, the following signs standards shall be applicable in Principal and Minor
Arterial Corridors, as set forth below. Where overlaps occur with Districts, the Corridor, and
PAMA in Ordinance standards, the stricter ordinance standards shall apply.
1) Monument Signs (PAMA).Monument signs on properties with frontage on a principal
arterial or minor arterial right-of-way (Figure 0-4 - Monument Signs on PAMAFigure
0-5 Monument Signs on PAMA)shall conform to the following standards where
applicable:
1. Number.
(a) One (1) monument sign on properties with a minimum linear lot frontage
of fifty (50) or more feet on a public right-of-way.
(b) Monument signs are not permitted on properties with less than 50 linear
feet of lot frontage on a right-of-way.
(c) A second monument sign may be allowed if the property has two (2) lot
frontages of fifty (50) linear feet or more on a right-of-way or if the
property has five hundred (500) feet or more of linear lot frontage on one
right-of-way. In any event, a maximum of two (2) signs shall be
permitted.
2. Sign area.
(a) Forty (40) square feet for the first fifty (50) feet of lot frontage on a street,
plus 0.75 square feet for each additional foot of lot frontage, up to a
maximum of one hundred fifty (150) square feet total for one (1) sign.
N.W. 1.67th Street may be up to a maximum of 200 square feet.
(b) Where two (2) signs may be permitted each sign shall not exceed one
hundred fifty (150) square feet, for total of three hundred (300) square
feet.
3. Sign Height. Fifteen (15) feet..
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Land Development Code
2) Wall Signs (PAMA). Wall signs on properties with frontage on a principal arterial or
minor arterial right-of-way shall conform to the following standards where applicable:
1. Number.
(a) One (1) wall sign per building facade with frontage on a right-of-way, up
to a maximum of two (2) wall signs. In lieu of a wall sign on the building
facade with frontage on a right-of-way one (1) wall sign may be located
on the building facade if such building facade faces into the parking area
and is not abutting single family residentially developed property.
(b) If permitted a second wall sign, the second sign shall be identical copy,
color, illumination method and method of construction. Each sign's size
will be determined independently based on the facade frontage.
(c) All buildings that have access from an alley or drive aisle may have one
(1) non -illuminated identity sign, located on the rear door of the building
not to exceed three (3) square feet in sign area, and not located higher
than eight (8) feet above grade.
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Figure o- 5 — Monument Signs on PAMA
BUILDING
1,6" MAX
10' MIN.
ALL INTERNAL AND/OR EXTERNAL SIGN
ILLUMINATION SHALL BE ENCLOSED, SHIELDED,
BUFFERED AND/OR CONCEALED AS TO NOT BE
VISIBLE FROM ADJACENT RIGHT-OF-WAYS.
50 SF. MIN. LANDSCAPING
W/ 2' MIN. HT HEDGE
SPACED MORE THAN 25 FEET FROM ANY OTHER
MONUMENT SIGN.
BUILDIN
10' MAX. WIDTH
15' MAX. HEIGHT FOR ALL, EXCEPT
20' MAX. ALLOWABLE FRONTING PALMETTO EXPWY ONLY
�g
/ Ig
ORIENTED
BETWEEN
45-90 DEGREES
OF ROW
7' MIN.
MONUMENT SIGN - PLAN VIEW
PRINCIPAL AND MINOR ARTERIAL R.O.W.
SINGLE USE
N.T.S.
R.O.W.
7— MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SIGN AREA
FOR ALL 150 SQUARE FEET
FRONTING PALMETTO: 200 SQUARE FEET
, — AUTOMATIC CHANGING OR
CHANGEABLE COPY
MAX. AREA: 30% OF SIGN AREA
SIGN RASP,'
2' MIN. HEDGE
10' MIN
*NOTE: 80%OF THE BASE SHALL BE IN CONTACT
WITH THE GROUND; SIGN AREA SHALL INCLUDE
BASE/FOUNDATION AND SHALL NOT EXCEED A
MAXIMUM WIDTH OF 10 FEET. MONUMENT
SIGNS SHOULD BE PROPORTIONATE IN HEIGHT
AND WIDTH AT A RATIO OF 1 TO 1.5
MAX. WIDTH
7' MIN.—, R.O.W.
MONUMENT SIGN - ELEVATION
PRINCIPAL AND MINOR ARTERIAL R.O.W.
N.T.S.
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2. Size.
(a) The total area of the wall sign shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the
building facade with frontage on a right-of-way for the first fifteen (15)
feet in height of the building, then the area may be increased by 1.5
percent for each foot of building height measuredfrom the base of the
building above grade to the bottom of where the sign is located, up to a
maximum of two hundred (200) square feet for buildings with up to one
hundred (100) feet of building facade with frontage on a right-of-way.
(b) Up to four hundred (400) square feet for buildings with more than one
hundred (100) feet of building facade with frontage on a right-of-way.
3) Window Signs (PAMA).Window signs on properties with frontage on a principal
arterial or minor arterial right-of-way shall follow the standards, where applicable,in
accordance with Window Sign design standards as set forth in this Ordinance.
4) Multi-Use/Multi-Tenant/Mix-Use Development (PAMA),In addition to the
monument design standards, multi-use/multi-tenant/mixed-use developments along
Principal and Minor Arterials shall comply with the following standards where
applicable:
1. Number.
(a) For one (1) and two (2) story buildings one (1) wall sign per tenant's/use
proportionate share of building facade with frontage on a right-of-way, as
well as one (1) additional wall type sign located at the rear or side of a
building facade if such building facade faces into the parking area and is
not abutting single family residentially developed property.
(b) Tenants/uses that have two (2) facades fronting a right-of-way may have
two (2) wall signs. The second sign shall be identical copy, color,
illumination method and method of construction. Each sign's size will be
determined independently based on the proportionate share of frontage
of the facade for each tenant/use.
(c) For buildings with three (3) or more stories one (1) wall sign per building
facade with frontage facing a right -or -way, up to a maximum of two (2)
wall signs. In lieu of a wall sign on the building facade with frontage on a
right-of-way, one (1) wall sign may be located on the building facade that
faces into the parking area, provided that such sign is not abutting single
family residences or single family residentially zoned property. The
second sign shall be identical copy, color, illumination method and
method of construction. Each sign's size will be determined
independently based on the facade frontage.
(d) Wall signs located on second story building facades shall be permitted up
to 50% of the sign area as would be permitted on the ground floor
building facade.
5) Directory Signs (PAMA). Directory signs shall comply with the design standards set
forth in the other sections of this Ordinance.
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XII. SIGNAGE ALONG COLLECTOR ROADS
Signage onproperties with frontage rights -of -way other than arterial right-of-ways (Figure 0-5
- Monument SignsFigure 0 6 Monument Signs) shall conform to the following standards
where applicable. Where overlaps occur with Districts, PAMA, and the collector roads
provisions of this section in Ordinance standards, the stricter ordinance standards shall apply.
A. Monument Signs Collector Roads.
1. Number. One (1) monument sign on properties with a minimum linear lot
frontage of fifty (50) or more feet on a public right-of-way. Monument signs are
not permitted on properties with less than 50 linear feet of lot frontage on a
right-of-way.
2. Sign Area. Twenty four (24) square feet for first fifty (50) feet of lot frontage on a
street, plus 0.5 square feet for each additional foot of frontage, up to a maximum
of fifty four (54) square feet.
3. Multi-Use/Multi-Tenant Development. A second freestanding sign may be
allowed if the site has more than five hundred (500) feet of street frontage. The
maximum size of each sign shall be 54 square feet for a total of 108 square feet.
4. Height. Six (6) feet maximum.
B. Wall Signs Collector Roads.
1. Design Standards. In designing wall signs the following standards shall be
complied with:
(a) Design. Wall signs shall be comprised of channel lettering and reverse
channel lettering type and design, cabinet signs. Other wall types of wall
signs may be permitted in accordance with an approved sign plan, so long
as they are consistent with the sign plan.
(b) Multiple Signs. Where multiple wall signs with the same sign copy are to
be placed on different building facades for the same sign
owner/tenant/business, each wall sign should be identical in design, save
and except the applicable maximum permitted sign area may be different,
and location of placement may be different.
(c) Cabinet signs and other type signs.
If cabinet signs or other type of signs are used to display registered
trademarks, logos, slogans, the sign shall be integrated as intended to be
viewed as one wall sign.
(d) Location.
No wall sign shall extend above the roofline except where an exterior
parapet wall projects above the roofline, in which case, such sign may not
extend above the top edge of the parapet.
Wall signs shall not be allowed on a building facade abutting a single
family zoned or developed property.
Wall signs shall be located as to not interfere with public alarms, signals,
or signs. No sign or support shall be placed in such position or manner as
to obstruct or interfere, either physically or visually, with any fire alarm,
City of Opa-locka, FL
42
Land Developrnent Code
police alarm, traffic signal or sign or any devices maintained by or under
public authority.
2. Number.
(a) One (1) wall sign per building facade with frontage on a right -or -way, up
to a maximum of two (2) wall signs. In lieu of a wall sign on the building
facade with frontage on a right-of-way one (1) wall sign may be located
on the building facade if such building facade faces into the parking area
and is not abutting single family residentially developed property.
(b) If a second wall sign is permitted, the second sign shall be identical copy,
color, illumination method and method of construction to the first sign.
Each sign's size will be determined independently based on the facade
frontage.
3. Size.
(a) The total area of the wall sign shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the
building facade with frontage on a right-of-way for the first fifteen (15)
feet in height of the building, then the area may be increased by 1.5
percent for each foot of building height measured to the bottom of where
the sign is located, up to a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet for
buildings with up to one hundred (100) feet of building facade with
frontage on a right-of-way.
(b) Up to four hundred (400) square feet for buildings with more than one
hundred (100) feet of building facade with frontage on a right-of-way.
C. Window Signs Collector Roads.Window signs shall comply with the design standards
set forth in the other sections of this Ordinance.
XIII. SIGNAGE IN HISTORICAL DISTRICTS AND/OR FOR HISTORICAL
BUILDINGS
a. Signage on historical building and/or in designated historical districts, if
applicable, shall follow other sign standards as denoted in this ordinance, with
the following exceptions:Font and Color. Content of the signage shall be
restricted in font and color style to those appropriate to the architectural
features of the building.
b. Size. The size of the signage shall be restricted so as to not detract from the
architectural or historic aspects of the building.
c. Determination. Determination of compliance of the above shall be determined
via certification by the City's Board of Architects.
d. City of Opa-Locka Moorish Architecture Motif. Signage of buildings designated as
Arabian Motifs shall follow the approval procedures outlined in Section 6-14
(City of Opa-Locka Arabian Motif Architectural Regulations).
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XIV. SIGNAGE IN THE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (TOD)
Signage in the Transit Oriented Development District shall comply with standards set forth in
this Ordinance. Permissible uses of these signs shall be subject to regulations in this Ordinance
as well as the zoning code for the Transit Oriented Development District.
A. Sandwich signs shall only be permitted in a Transit Oriented Development Zone, subject
the following conditions:
a. Signs must be related to a food service establishment, and shall be placed within
2 feet of the entrance of the establishment advertised on the sign
b. Sign shall be immediately adjacent to the building, and not placed as to cause an
obstruction in the middle of the sidewalk right-of-way.
c. Signs shall be no more than 2.5 feet in width
d. Signs may only be placed in areas where the sidewalk right-of-way is at least 10
ft. in width.
XV. SIGNAGE IN THE MAGNOLIA NORTH REDEVELOPMENT OVERLAY
ZONE
Signage in the Magnolia North Redevelopment Overlay Zone shall comply with standards set
forth in this Ordinance. Permissible uses of these signs shall be subject to regulations in this
Ordinance.
XVI. MIXED -USE OVERLAY DISTRICT
Signage in the Mixed -Use Overlay Zone shall comply with standards set forth in this Ordinance.
Permissible uses of these signs shall be subject to regulations in this Ordinance.
XVII.RESERVED
XVIII. TEMPORARY SIGNS
Temporary signs are permitted in the City for duration of time depending on the type of sign.
Failure to remove a temporary sign within the permitted time -frame shall result in a violation
of this Ordinance. Temporary signs shall be permitted subject to compliance to the following
provisions:
A. Construction Signs. One (1) development/project sign plus one (1) for each architect,
contractor, sub -contractor, developer or finance organization at which location such
individual is furnishing labor, materials, or services trade, financial institution, or
sponsor.
1. Sign Area. Each sign shall not be greater than thirty two (32) square feet;
however, the total sign area of all construction signs shall not exceed 256 square
feet. Only the sign face shall be counted toward the maximum sign area allowed.
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Land Development Code
There is no sign size limit if the sign is painted on an approved construction
shed/trailer.
2. Sign Height. Maximum sign height shall be ten (10) feet, measured from the base
of sign to the uppermost portion of the sign.
3. Duration. All construction signs shall be removed within fifteen (15) days after
the certificate of occupancy for the structure is issued.
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Figure o-56— Monument Signs
50 SF. MIN. LANDSCAPING
W/ 2' MIN. HT HEDGE
1'-6' MAX
6' MAX. HEIGHT
I�
ORIENTED I
BETWEEN
45-90 DEGREES
OF ROW
•
\ I
10' MIN. T MIN.
ALL INTERNAL AND/OR EXTERNAL SIGN
ILLUMINATION SHALL BE ENCI 1AFD, SHIELDED,
BUFFERED AND/OR CONCFOI FD AS TO NOT BE
VISIBLE FROM ADJACENT RIGHT-OF-WAYS.
SPACED MORE THAN 25 FEET FROM ANY OTHER
MONUMENT SIGN.
" NOTE: 80%OF THE BASE SHALL BE IN CONTACT
WITH THE GROUND; SIGN AREA SHALL INCLUDE
BASE/FOUNDATION AND SHALL NOT EXCEED A
MAXIMUM WIDTH OF 10 FEET. MONUMENT
SIGNS SHOULD BE PROPORTIONATE IN HEIGHT
AND WIDTH AT A RATIO OF 1 TO 1.5
2 SIGNS MAY BE PERMITTED FOR FRONTAGES
GREATER THAN 500 LINEAR FEET ONLY FOR
MULTI-USE/MULTI-TENANT.
MAX. WIDTH
MONUMENT SIGN - PLAN VIEW
COLLECTOR AND ALL OTHER R.O.W.
SINGLE USE
N.T.S.
R.O.W.
AUTOMATIC CHANGING OR
CHANGEABLE COPY
MAX. AREA: 30% OF SIGN AREA
R
MONUMENT SIGN - ELEVATION
COLLECTOR AND ALL OTHER R.O.W.
SINGLE USE AND MULTI-USE/MULTI-TENANT
N.T.S.
City of Opa-locka, FL
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Land Development Code
4. Permit. A sign permit shall not be required for a construction sign. The
exemption from a sign permit shall not be construed to waive or otherwise
exempt compliance with the Florida Building Code, or other provisions of this
Ordinance.
B. Temporary Construction Fence Sign (TCFS).Temporary Construction Fence Signs
(TCFS) shall be permitted subject to compliance with the following:
1. Location. Temporary Construction Fence Signs are permitted in all zoning
districts. Such signs must be located on -site for real estate development projects,
specifically at the construction site. Building permits must be issued for
construction of the project in question prior to the construction or placement a
TCFS. TCFS shall only be permitted along lot frontages on public rights -of -way.
2. Setbacks. The minimum setback for Temporary Construction Fence signs should
be five (5) feet from the front property line or any right-of-way line, or shall
meet the minimum standards for compliance with other applicable regulations.
3. Landscape. Landscape should be provided within the five (5) foot setback. At
minimum, such should include shrubs spaced a minimum of 36 inches on center,
a minimum of 24 inches at planting, or some combination of setback and
landscaping meeting the approval of the Director. Such landscape shall be
maintained in acceptable condition for the duration that the fence exists.
4. Modifications. The Director shall have the authority, but no obligation, to modify
said setbacks and landscape requirements based on a review of written
justification that must be submitted by the Applicant. The Director shall have the
authority to increase setbacks and minimum landscape requirements as deemed
appropriate to the interests of the City of Opa-locka.
5. Size. TCFS may be constructed up to eight (8) feet in height.
6. Copy. All copy shall be professionally prepared and affixed, and copy shall be
limited to the following:
(a) Development Name
(b) Development Company
(c) Contact Phone Number
(d) Web Site
(e) Graphics/pictures of proposed development, buildings, people
(iJ Sale price
7. Lettering. Lettering shall not exceed two (2%) percent of the sign surface area.
8. Submittal. The following items shall be submitted in the review of the TCFS
application on a form approved by the City:
(a) Site plan/survey clearly depicting the location of the TCFS.
(b) Color illustration/elevation of the TWFS depicting the copy with
dimensions of size and lettering.
9. Review and Approval. The Director shall review the content and design of all
TCFS, and may impose any and all additional conditions deemed appropriate
including but not limited to setbacks, content, size, length, material, color,
lighting, and landscape.
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Land Development Code
10. Duration. TCFS shall be permitted up to one (1) year from approval, and may be
extended for an additional period at discretion of the Director, providing just
cause and reason is provided by the applicant. TCFS shall be removed within
fifteen (15) days after the final certificate of occupancy for the structure(s) is
issued.
C. Political Campaign Signs Standards. One (1) sign per property per candidate or ballot
issue.
1. Sign Size. The maximum size allowed shall be nine (9) square feet per sign on
residential properties and thirty-two (32) square feet on nonresidential/mixed
use properties.
2. Setback. Signs shall setback a minimum of five (5) feet from all property lines.
3. Sign Location. No sign shall be located within, on, or over public right-of-way,
public lands, or utility poles, or be located in a required sight visibility triangle.
4. Placement on Vacant Lots. No political campaign sign shall be placed upon an
unimproved lot without the written consent of the property owner filed with the
City Clerk prior to posting of the sign.
5. Signs on Vehicles or Machinery. Political campaign signs placed on vehicles or
machinery in residentially zoned property, except bumper stickers, shall not
exceed 4 1/2 square feet and shall be securely fastened to the vehicle in order to
ensure that the vehicle is capable of being operated in a safe manner upon the
roads of the state.
6. Prohibited. Portable political campaign signs, except for those signs securely
fastened to vehicles or machinery noted above, defined for purposes of this
Ordinance as signs not secured to the ground in accordance with the Building
Code, shall be prohibited.
7. Traffic Hazards. Political campaign signs shall not be located on property in such
a manner as to interfere with or present a hazard to the flow of traffic along the
streets adjacent to the property upon which such sign is located. The City shall
take appropriate actions to remove or cause such signs to be removed.
8. Removal of Improper Political Campaign Signs. Political campaign signs not
posted in accordance with these regulations shall be subject to removal by the
candidate, the property owner or the City. If the City removes the sign, the City
shall deduct the cost and expense of removal from the posted cash bond.
9. Duration. Sign shall be erected no earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the first
primary. Signs shall be removed within five (5) days after the last election which
candidate or issue was on the ballot. Promoters, sponsors and candidates shall
be responsible for compliance with the provisions in this section and shall
remove signs promoting or endorsing their respective candidacies when such
signs are displayed or used in violation of this section. Additionally, any private
owner who fails to remove an unlawful special events sign from his or her
property shall be deemed in violation of this section. Any sign not removed
within this time frame shall be considered an abandoned sign and subject to
removal without notice.
10. Bond. The City Commission shall have the authority to require that each
candidate in a municipal election and non -municipal elections, prior to the
City of Opa-locka, FL
48
Land Development Code
installation and/or construction of signs in accordance with this section, to post
or cause to be posted with the City a refundable cash bond in an amount
determined by the City Commission as part of the customary procedure to
establish such fees.
11. Permit. A sign permit shall not be required for a political sign. The exemption
from a sign permit shall not be construed to waive or otherwise exempt
compliance with the Florida Building Code, or other provisions of this Ordinance.
D. Real Estate Signs (Non-residential and Mixed -Use Developments).A maximum of
one (1) sign per lot frontage on a right-of-way, except that properties with a lot frontage
of five -hundred (500) linear feet or more are allowed a maximum of two (2) signs per
lot frontage on right-of-way.
1. Size. Real Estate signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet when affixed to a
window or building facade, and forty-four (44) square feet for freestanding real
estate signs. The support structure of the freestanding sign shall not be counted
towards the area of the sign.
2. Setback. Freestanding real estate signs shall setback a minimum of ten (10) feet
from all property lines.
3. Height. Real estate signs shall be a maximum height of eight (8) feet.
4. Spacing. Real Estate signs shall be spaced a minimum of two -hundred fifty (250)
feet apart when located on the same property, and spaced a minimum of one
hundred (100) feet from real estate signs on other property. Real estate signs
shall be spaced a minimum of five (5) feet from any other sign on the property.
5. Location. Freestanding real estate signs shall only be placed in landscaped areas
of the property, and shall not be located in the sight distance triangle, and shall
be placed at either a 45 degree or 90 degree angle to the right-of-way.
6. Maintenance. Real estate signs shall be maintained in good condition and
readable and shall not be faded or weathered, and shall be replaced every twelve
(12) months.
7. Copy. Sign copy shall only contain necessary copy directly related to the real
estate activity/transaction for the property of which the sign is located.
Advertising of products or services other than the real estate shall be prohibited.
8. Duration. Real Estate signs shall be permitted up to one (1) year from approval,
and may be extended for an additional period at the discretion of the Director,
providing just cause and reason is provided by the applicant. Real estate signs
shall be removed within fifteen (15) days after the sale or transaction of the
property.
9. Permit. A sign permit shall be required.
10. Exception for Banners.
(a) Size. Real estate banner signs shall be allowed up to a maximum size of
ten percent (100/0) of the building facade area of which the banner is
mounted.
(b) Location. Real estate banner signs shall only be affixed or mounted to the
building facade. Notwithstanding compliance with these standards, no
real estate banner sign may be located on the property as to pose or
create a hazardous or health safety concern.
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Land Development Code
(c) Permit. A sign permit shall be required prior to the mounting of a real
estate banner sign.A banner used as a real estate sign shall require public
hearing approval.
E. Real Estate Signs (Single Family Residential, Individual Townhouse, Duplexes,
and Similar Dwelling Units).Real estate signs shall be permitted subject to compliance
to the following standards:
1. Number. One (1) real estate sign per property and one (1) open house real
estate sign per property. Up to three (3) temporary off -premise open house
directional signs per residential development for the purpose of providing
directions to multiple new dwellings for sale or lease in said development, or per
resale home.
2. Size. Each sign on the property shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area. Off -
premise open house signs shall not exceed three (3) square feet in size.
3. Setback. Signs shall be setback a minimum of five (5) feet from any property
line.
4. Height. Signs Real estate signs on the property shall be a maximum height of five
(5) feet. Temporary off -premise open house signs shall not exceed a maximum
height of two (2) feet.
5. Location. Open house Signs shall be free-standing attached to their own support
anchored in the ground, and shall not be affixed to the building and shall not
located in the right-of-way. Permission to locate off -site open house signs shall
be obtained from property owners. Signs located in the rights -of -way, or without
property owner permission may be removed and discarded accordingly.
6. Maintenance.Signs and all supporting structures shall be maintained in good
condition and readable and shall not be faded or weathered, and shall be
replaced every twelve (12) months.
7. Copy. Real estate sign copy shall be limited to the "for sale" or "for rent", name
of the agent, company, broker, phone number, address, web-site/email address,
and other information as may be required by law or regulations. Open house
directional sign copy shall be limited to "open house" and an address and/or
directions.
8. Duration. Off -premise open house signs shall be permitted only during actual
open house events and only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. on Fridays to 10:00
p.m. on Sundays. These hours shall be extended to include federal holidays.
9. Permit. A sign permit shall not be required. The exemption from a sign permit
shall not be construed to waive or otherwise exempt compliance with the
Florida Building Code, or other provisions of this Ordinance.
F. Banner Signs.Banner signs shall be permitted subject to compliance to the following
standards:
1. Permit. A sign permit shall be required for a banner sign;
2. Exception. Banner signs approved for a city -sponsored or approved special
event shall be exempt from these standards;
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Land Development Code
3. Usage. Temporary banner signs can only be issued to bona fide
retail/commercial, institutional, educational, religious, or restaurant use located
on a single site or in a shopping center; Banner signs are only for purposes of
advertising a grand opening, going out of business, or promotional or sales
event;
4. Material. Banner signs must be of a flexible material, no permanent type signage
shall be considered a banner;.
5. Number of signs. Only one (1) banner sign per any one-year period for single use
properties can be issued;No more than three (3)banner signs shall be permitted
at any one time and in any one-year period in a multiple tenants/multi-use
development;
6. Location. Banner signs must be installed on the same property as the business
and must be in close proximity to the actual business; Banner signs must be
mounted temporarily in a landscaped area, on a fence or wall; no permanent
installation is allowed; banners cannot be secured to trees, light poles or other
structures;
7. Spacing and Setback. Banner signs must be spaced at least ten feet from each
other and shall be a minimum of seven (7) feet away from the Right of Way at all
Times;
8. Size. Banner signs may not be greater than 50 square feet in size;
9. Safety. No banner sign may be located on the property as to pose or create a
hazardous or health safety concern;
10. Duration. Applicants have up to 15 days to install the banner and the banner
sign may only be displayed for 45 days. Permits will expire 60 days from date of
issuance, and all signs shall be removed; The banner and any installation
material must be completely removed after 45 days of being installed or before
the expiration of the permit, whichever comes first, or the applicant may be
subject to a civil code violation;
11. Code Inspection. The banner sign permit must be kept on the business premises
and readily available for inspection by a code compliance officer or the applicant
may be subject to a civil violation notice;
G. Inflatable/Balloon Signs. Inflatable/balloon signs shall be permitted provided they
are in compliance with the following standards:
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Land Development Code
1. Number. The maximum number of inflatable/balloon signs shall be limited to
one (1).
2. Size. Inflatable/Balloon signs shall have maximum size of thirty two (32) feet in
height and twenty (25) feet in width.
3. Setback. Inflatable/balloon signs shall setback a minimum of fifteen (15) feet
from all property lines.
4. Location. Inflatable/balloon signs shall only be located on non-residential,
mixed -use properties. Signs may be located in the front of buildings, on roof
tops, and on the property as to not occupy parking areas, drive aisles, and shall
not impede traffic or pedestrian flow, or create an unsafe or hazardous situation
on or off the property.
5. Duration. Inflatable/balloon signs shall be permitted up to four (4) times each
calendar year per property. No more than once each calendar quarter per
applicant or per multi-tenant/multi-use property. Maximum of seventeen (17)
days per sign during any one (1) calendar quarter.
6. Copy. Copy on the inflatable/balloon signs shall be limited to the business, or
organization, or event name, and the primary product or service.
7. Height. Maximum of thirty-two (32) feet above the rooftop of the building in
which the advertised use or occupant is located. Rooftop installations require
the written consent of the property owner.
8. Permit. A sign permit shall not be required for an inflatable/balloon sign. The
exemption from a sign permit shall not be construed to waive or otherwise
exempt compliance with the Florida Building Code, or other provisions of this
Ordinance.
H. Spot/Search Light Sign.Spot/search light signs shall be permitted provided they are in
compliance with the following standards:
1. Number. The maximum number of spot light signs shall be limited to one (1).
One (1) sign shall have a maximum of up to four (4) individual spot lights.
2. Setback. Spot light signs shall setback a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from all
property lines.
3. Location. Spot light signs shall only be located on non-residential, mixed -use
properties. Signs may be located in the front of buildings, and on the property as
to not occupy parking areas, drive aisles, and shall not impede traffic or
pedestrian flow, or create an unsafe or hazardous situation on or off the
property.
4. Duration. Spot light sign shall be permitted per property or development up to
three (3) times per calendar year for up to a maximum of three (3) consecutive
days at any one time.
5. Copy. Illumination of copy shall not be permitted.
6. Permit. A sign permit shall not be required for a spot light sign. The exemption
from a sign permit shall not be construed to waive or otherwise exempt
compliance with the Florida Building Code, or other provisions of this Ordinance.
I. Mobile Vendor and Street Vendor Signs.
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1. Street vendors in semi -permanent structures and permanent structures shall be
allowed one sign, not exceeding 5 sq. ft, which may contain the name of their
business, the goods being sold at the location, and the prices of such goods.
2. Mobile vendors shall be allowed signs on their vehicle for the purpose of
indicating the items being sold and the prices for such items only.
3. Mobile vendor signs shall be affixed to the vehicles related to the items
advertised on the sign, with the following exception: Mobile Vendors shall be
allowed (one) freestanding sign, not to exceed one (1) sq. ft., which may be
placed only on their counter.
XIX. PROHIBITED SIGNS
It shall be unlawful for any person to install, alter, erect, construct, post, paint, maintain, or
relocate, within the municipal limits of the City of Opa-locka any sign, without first having
obtained a permit from the City, and/or have a valid permit for said work, unless otherwise
exempt by this Ordinance.
Said permit shall be issued by the City Manager or his designee only after determination
has been made that full compliance with all conditions of this Ordinance, the Florida Building
Code and other applicable regulations have been met and complied with.
Before any permit is issued, an application for such permit shall be filed in a manner
required by the City. Any sign that does not have or has not been issued a valid permit as may
be required by this Ordinance shall be prohibited. In addition, the following signs shall be
prohibited in the City of Opa-locka;
1. Any sign not in compliance with the standards set forth in this Ordinance.
2. Signs so located as to constitute a danger to public safety, including signs placed
in the sight distance triangle.
3. Signs that exhibit thereon any lewd, obscene, offensive, or lascivious matter.
4. Wall signs with changeable copy, with the exception of Marquee signs as
provided for in this article.
5. Window signs above the second floor of any building.
6. Portable political campaign signs, except for those signs securely fastened to
vehicles.
7. Any sign not secured to the ground or affixed to a wall or window in accordance
with the Florida Building Code.
8. Banners, either on or otherwise mounted/placed on/with or connected to
gasoline pumps, trees, utility poles, walls, or to other signage, except as
specifically permitted in accordance to this Ordinance.
9. Signs located on top of gasoline pumps, unless as required by law.
10. Flag that advertises a product, service, event, or slogan, except as specifically
permitted in accordance to this Ordinance.
11. Any signs, other than traffic signs, those under public authority, or those
otherwise provided for in this ordinance, which uses the words "Stop" or
"Danger," which implies the need to stop or present danger, are prohibited.
12. Signs or sign supportswith revolving or flashing lights that mimics the color
combinations of public alarms and signals, such as any fire alarm, police alarm,
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traffic signal or sign of any devices maintained by or under public authority, are
prohibited.
13. Portable signs, except as specifically permitted in accordance to this Ordinance.
14. Vehicle signs used to advertise a place of business or activity that can be viewed
from a public right-of-way. This shall not be interpreted to prohibit identification
of commercial vehicles provided such vehicles are operational and moved and
used daily for delivery or service purposes and are not used, or intended for use,
as portable signs. This shall not be interpreted to prohibit a mobile vendor from
having a sign used to display information regarding information, such as prices,
of the items being sold. This sign shall also not be interpreted to apply to buses,
taxicabs, and similar common carrier vehicles which are licensed or certified by
Miami-DadeCounty or other governmental agency.
15. Roof signs, parapet signs, and signs projecting above a canopy, parapet, or roof
of a building, except balloon signs that may be permitted in accordance to this
Ordinance.
16. Billboards signs, except for those specifically allowed by the City Commission
with a Zoning Council recommendation.
17. Changeable copy signs except as specifically permitted in accordance to this
Ordinance.
18. A sign which covers, interrupts or disrupts the major architectural features of a
building.
19. Signs or sign support that may interfere with public alarms, signals, or signs or
placed in such position or manner as to obstruct or interfere, either physically or
visually, with any fire alarm, police alarm, traffic signal or sign or any devices
maintained by or under public authority.
20. Abandoned signs as herein defined, that remains out of compliance of the
provisions herein for more than sixty (60) days of being abandoned.
21. Animated signs as herein defined,except for those specifically allowed by the
City Commission with a Zoning Council recommendation. .
22. Open house signs located off -premise.
23. Real estate signs with photographs, graphics of agents/brokers.
24. Off -premise signs.
25. ---Neon signs, except as specifically permitted in Section IX (F).
26,25. Raceway signs.
2-7,26. All snipe signs.
2-8.27. Standard balloons with or without copy used with the intention of drawing
attention.
2-9,28. Any blinking or flashing lights, revolving or rotating signs, streamer lights,
pennants, streamers, and all fluttering, spinning or other type of attention
attractors or advertising devices are prohibited except during recognized
holiday periods such attention-attractors that pertain to such holiday periods
may be displayed on a temporary basis during such periods in accordance to
provisions herein.
30.29. Automatic Changeable Copy window signs.
31:30. Signs on unoccupied or temporary structures, unless otherwise provided for in
this Ordinance.
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31. Bench Signs are prohibited.
32. Pole signs.
XX. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
A.The City Manager or designee, the Building Official, law enforcement officers, code
enforcement officers and the Community Development Director, and/or their designees
of the City of Opa-locka shall be authorized to enforce the provisions of this Ordinance
and pursuant to said authorization shall be empowered to enforce as permitted by law
all violations of this Ordinance.
B. Any person or entity found guilty of violating any section of this Ordinance shall be
subject to a fine up to $500.00 per violation per day. Each day such violation is
committed, or permitted to continue, shall constitute a separate offense and shall be
punishable as such hereunder.
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