1. BCC Worksession Ch.31.5 Sign Code Amendments Zoning Division January 6, 2015

2. Overview  Sign code amendments were discussed with BCC in a work session in fall 2013.  The proposed amendments cover two geographic areas of the county: – General Code (County-wide) – Tourism District Sign Code (I-Drive Area, except Convention Plaza District)

3. General Sign Code  General Sign regulations under consideration 1)Architectural Features and Signs 2)Maximum Allowable Copy Area for Wall Signs 3)Electronic Message Center 4)Window Signs 5)Special Event Signs 6)Construction Signs

4. General Sign Code Architectural Signs  Generic, integrated, architectural feature – Designed and constructed as part of building – Identification via symbols, logos, letters, moving parts, lights etc. are not exempt  Signage within commercial developments – Clarification of language

5. General Sign Code Wall Signs  Maximum Allowable Copy Area: – Current code: Must use front of building to calculate wall signage. May distribute signage on all walls. – Proposed Amendment : If front of building is not used to calculate wall signage, then all signage must be placed on the side used to calculate the signage.

6. General Sign Code  Example Current code – 90 sq.ft. of sign to distribute on any wall Proposed – use larger wall with all signs on that wall, 150 sq. ft. on this wall

7. Electronic Message Centers  General BCC concerns – Proximity to residential areas – Transition time – Dimming Technology – Prohibition General Sign Code

8. Electronic Message Centers  Current Regulations – Ground, Pole and Wall sign – Permitted in Office, Commercial or Industrial zoning districts  Proposed Changes – Restrict EMC based on proximity to residential uses – Prohibit on Wall signs – Pole signs – limit EMC to 25% of total copy area – Prohibit EMC for non-residential sign in residential district (e.g., Religious use, day care)

9. General Sign Code Electronic Message Centers  Proposed changes for display criteria – Must hold display/message for minimum 8 seconds – Images shall appear instantaneously without flashing, animation, or movement of any kind – Required automatic dimming technology – Cannot exceed a brightness level of 0.3 candles above ambient light – Non-conforming signs must comply with brightness by date certain

10. General Sign Code Window Signs  Current Regulation (General Code): – Maximum copy area of 25% of window area, affixed to window.  Proposed Changes (General Code): – Location of sign – distance from window (3 feet) – Prohibits changeable copy signs – Maximum letter size

11. General Sign Code Excessive Window Signage

12. General Sign Code Special Event Signs  Current Regulations: 1 every six months  Proposed Change: No more than 2 permits on same parcel within any calendar year.

13. General Sign Code Construction Signs  Current Regulations – 64 sq. ft. residential – 128 sq. ft. non-residential.  Proposed Change/Clarification – Allowed on a mesh fence banner affixed to the fence surrounding a construction site

14. Tourist Commercial Signs Tourist Commercial regulations under consideration 1)Maximum Wall Sign Copy Area 2)EMCs 3)Ground Signs 4)Window Signs

15. Tourist Commercial Signs Max. Wall Sign Copy Area  Copy area increase due to height of sign on building  (sign must be located within top 20% of building height) Height 0-35 ft. 36-50 ft. 51-75 ft. 76-100 ft. 101-140 ft. 140+ ft. >180 ft. Current Code % No Increase 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% Proposed% No Increase 15% 20% 25% 50% 100% 125%

16. Tourist Commercial Signs Electronic Message Centers  Current Code: Permitted on Pole, and Wall signs.  Proposed Changes: Pole signs – Limit EMC to 25% of total copy area Prohibit on Wall signs Permit on Ground signs where: 1)> 15 acres 2)Min.1,000 foot road frontage 3)Separation distance of 300 feet between signs 4)Must meet display criteria: a)Must hold display/message for minimum 8 seconds b)Images shall appear instantaneously without flashing, animation, or movement of any kind c)Required automatic dimming technology d)Cannot exceed a brightness level of 0.3 candles above ambient light e)Non-conforming signs must comply with brightness by date certain

17. Tourist Commercial Signs Ground Signs  Maximum Allowable Copy Area increases from 60 sq. ft. to 80 sq. ft.  Maximum height increases from 8 ft. to 10 ft.  May include changeable copy area where the parcel contains a minimum of 1000 ft. of road frontage (excluding limited access highways)  Changeable copy signs must be a minimum of 300 ft. apart

18. Tourist Commercial Signs Window Signs  Current Regulation – Maximum copy area of 25% of window area, affixed to window.  Proposed Change – Location of sign – distance from window (3 feet) – Prohibits changeable copy signs – Maximum letter size – 32 sq. ft. or 25% coverage, whichever is less

19. Under Consideration Banner Signs in Convention Plaza District  Expand copy area of banners  Height standards  Allow only for convention center events  Approximately 4 to 5 times a year Master Sign Plans for Planned Developments  Waivers/deviations from Code

20. Next Steps  Worksession with PZC in March  LPA Meeting in April  BCC Public Hearings in April/May