HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-002CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 2008-002
On the 10' day of March, 2008, the Arden Hills City Council adopted Ordinance No.
2008-002, and by five affirmative votes pursuant to Minn. Stat. §412.191, Subd. 4, directed that
a summary of Ordinance 2008-002 be published.
Chapter 12 and its subdivisions are collectively known as, Ordinance 2008-002, entitled
"Sign Code." The primary purpose of the ordinance is to regulate the number, size, type,
location, and illumination of signs within the City and to ease in the enforcement of these
regulations.
A full copy of Ordinance 2008-002 is available for inspection by any person during
regular business hours at the office of the City Administrator, 1245 West Highway 96, Arden
Hills, Minnesota 55112. The Ordinance is also available online at http://www.ci.arden-
hills.mn.us.
City of Arden Hills Chapter 12 Sign Code
Chapter 12 Sign Code
Section 1200 — Purpose and Intent
1200.01 Recitals. This Chapter shall be known, cited and referred to as the
Arden Hills Sign Code, except as referred to herein, where it shall be known
as "this Chapter."
1200.02 Purpose and Findings. The purpose and findings of this Chapter are
as follows:
Subd. 1 Purpose. This Sign Code is intended to establish a
comprehensive and balanced system of sign control that
accommodates the need for a well -maintained, safe, and attractive
community, and the need for effective communications, including
business identification. It is the intent of these sign regulations, to
promote the health, safety, general welfare, aesthetics, and image of
the community by regulating signs that are intended to communicate
to the public in all areas of the City. It is not the purpose or intent of
this Chapter to regulate the message displayed on any sign. The
purpose of this Chapter is to authorize:
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A. Permanent signs which establish a high standard of aesthetics
and are appropriate for the planned character in each sign district
as established in Section 1240;
B. Signs which are compatible with their surroundings;
C. Signs which are designed, constructed, installed and
maintained in a manner that does not adversely impact public
safety or create a hazard to motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists;
D. Signs that are proportioned to the scale of, and are
architecturally compatible with, principal structures;
E. Permanent signs which give preference to the on -premise
owner or occupant;
F. Temporary commercial signs and advertising displays which
provide an opportunity to advertise while restricting signs that
create visual clutter and hazards at public right-of-way
intersections;
G. Minimize adverse effects on nearby property; and,
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H. Provide for fair and consistent enforcement of the sign
regulations set forth herein under the authority of the City.
Subd. 2 Findings. The City finds it is necessary for the promotion and
preservation of the public health, safety, welfare, and aesthetics of the
community to control the construction, location, size, and maintenance
of signs. Further, the City finds:
A. Permanent and temporary signs have a direct impact on and
relationship to the image and aesthetic of the community;
B. The manner of installation, location and maintenance of signs
affects the public health, safety, welfare and aesthetics of the
community;
C. An opportunity for viable identification of community
businesses, residences, and institutions must be established;
D. The safety of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and other users
of public streets and property is affected by the number, size,
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location and appearance of signs that create a hazard for drivers,
particularly from dynamic display signs;
E. Installation of signs suspended from, projecting over, or
placed on the tops of buildings, walks or other structures may
constitute a hazard during periods of high winds and an obstacle
to effective fire -fighting and other emergency service;
F. Uncontrolled and unlimited signs and sign types, particularly
dynamic display signs, adversely impact the image and aesthetic
attractiveness of the community and thereby undermine
economic value and growth;
G. Uncontrolled and unlimited signs, particularly temporary
signs which are commonly located within or adjacent to public
right-of-way or are located at driveway/street intersections,
result in roadside clutter and obstruction of views of oncoming
traffic. This creates a hazard to drivers and pedestrians and also
adversely impacts a logical flow of information;
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H. Commercial signs are generally incompatible with residential
uses and should be strictly limited in residential zoning districts;
and
I. The right to express noncommercial opinions in any zoning
district must be protected, subject to reasonable restrictions on
size, height, location and number.
1200.03 Scope of Regulations. The sign regulations set forth in this Chapter
shall apply to all structures and all land uses. This Chapter describes the
signage standards for the nine sign districts that overlay the zoning districts
of the City. Specific additional regulations are established for signs which
are unique in purpose and not easily addressed by district regulations. No
person, property owner, lessee shall place, erect, alter, modify, enhance or
change in any way a sign that does not conform to the requirements of this
Chapter and all other applicable regulations.
1200.04 Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phase, or
other part of this Chapter is for any reason held to be invalid, such invalidity
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining portion of this
Chapter. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted the
Chapter in each section, subsection, sentence, or phase thereof, irrespective
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of the fact that any one or more sections, subjections, sentences, clauses, or
phrases are declared invalid.
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Section 1210 - Definitions
1210.01 Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in
this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection,
except where the context clearly indicated a different meaning:
Subd. 1 Auxiliary sign. A sign that provides direction for internal
circulation, parking or entry, restrictions on parking, security warnings,
or other similar primarily noncommercial signs that are directed at
people that are entering, exiting, or on a particular property. Auxiliary
signs do not include outdoor advertising signs.
Subd. 2 Banner. Any temporary sign of lightweight fabric or similar
material mounted to a pole or a building at one (1) or more edges.
Subd. 3 Billboard. See "Outdoor advertising sign."
Subd. 4 Canopy/awning sign. A message or logo on an awning or
canopy which is constructed according to the requirements of the
building code, is an integral part of the building, and is consistent with
the architecture and design of the building.
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Subd. 5 Clear vision area. The clear vision area shall be an area within
a triangle that is measured along the edge of the driving surface of the
road starting at the intersection of two roads (public or private) and
extending thirty (30) feet in each direction from the intersection and
then a line connecting these two end points.
------------
Edge of driving surface
-------------
Clear
vision area
Subd. 6 Changeable message sign. A message that is not
permanently attached to the sign face but is not a dynamic display.
The message is changed manually.
Subd. 7 Commercial message sign. Any message which identifies a
business or product or promotes the sale of any product or service.
Subd. 8 Dynamic Display. Any characteristics of a sign that
appear to have movement or that appear to change, caused by any
method other than physically removing and replacing the sign or its
components, whether the apparent movement or change is in the
display, the sign structure itself, or any other component of the sign.
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This includes a display that incorporates a technology or method
allowing the sign face to change the image without having to
physically or mechanically replace the sign face or its components. This
also includes, but is not limited to, any rotating, revolving, moving,
flashing, blinking, projecting, or animated display and any display that
incorporates rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital
input, "digital ink," or any other method or technology that allows the
sign face to present a series of images or displays.
Subd. 9 Freestanding sign. A self-supporting sign usually held up by
uprights placed in the ground or any other base that is anchored to the
ground.
Subd. 10 Grand opening. Commencement of operation of a new
business. For purposes of the ordinance, a grand opening is considered
to occur if there is a business name change or change in type of
business or activity.
Subd. 11 Graphic sign. A sculpture attached to or sign painted directly
on a wall that is primarily symbolic or representational in nature and
not alpha or numeric in content or copy.
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Subd. 12 Illuminated sign. Any sign, which has characters, letters,
figures, designs or outlines which is illuminated by an artificial light
source.
Subd 13 Incidental sign. Any sign that is generally not understandable
or readable from property other than where the sign is located, such as
from adjacent property or a public street, as determined by the City
Administrator of their designee.
Subd. 14 Lighting, backlit. An illuminated sign where the light source
which illuminates the wall behind individual sign letters is hidden from
view. The sign letters are opaque and appear as a silhouette against
the lighted surface.
Subd. 15 Lighting, external. The sign is illuminated by means of
external light fixtures directed at the sign.
Subd. 16 Lighting, internal. An illuminated sign having the source of
illumination located inside a translucent panel and is not directly
visible.
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Subd. 17 Monument sign. A freestanding sign with its sign face
mounted on the ground or mounted on a base at least as wide as the
sign and is less than sixteen (16) feet in height.
Subd. 18 On -premise sign. A sign whose message is related to the
property or the activity and use occurring on the property on which the
sign is located. On -premise signs include multi -tenant identification
signs that may advertise tenants on different property provided such
tenants are within the same approved PUD and parking is shared
between properties.
Subd. 19 Outdoor advertising sign. Any sign that is located outdoors
and that advertises a product, business, service, event, or any other
matter that is not available, or does not take place, on the same
premises as the sign. Outdoor advertising signs are commonly called
billboards. An outdoor advertising sign does not include a sign that is
not readily understandable or readable from property other than where
the sign is located, such as from adjacent property or a public street, as
determined by the City Administrator or their designee.
Subd. 20 Permanent sign. Any sign that is not temporary.
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Subd. 21 Pole sign. A freestanding sign that is elevated off the ground
by one or more poles.
Subd. 22 Portable sign. A temporary sign with or without copy and
graphic that is designed or intended to be moved or transported but
not including banner signs. Examples of portable signs include, but are
not limited to: A -frame or T-frame signs, sandwich signs; signs
designed to be transported by trailer or on wheels; and signs mounted
on a vehicle for advertising purposes, except signs identifying a
business when the vehicle is being used in the normal day-to-day
operation of that business. A sign may be a portable sign even if it has
wheels removed, was designed without wheels, or is attached to the
ground, a structure, or other sign.
Subd. 23 Projecting sign. A sign, other than a wall sign, that is
attached to and projects more than eighteen (18) inches from the
building facade.
Subd. 24 Public sign. A traffic control sign in Minnesota State
Statutes; any identification sign installed in a public park by a public
authority; and any other identification, regulatory, or warning sign
approved by the City Council for installation on public land.
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Subd. 25 Re -facing. The process of replacing the sign copy, message,
logo, or graphic on a sign without altering or moving the structure to
which the sign face is attached.
Subd. 26 Roof sign. A sign that is mounted on the roof of a building or
on a parapet wall that is above the roof line.
Subd. 27 Rotating sign. A sign or a portion of a sign which moves in a
rotating oscillating or similar manner other than changing signs.
Subd. 28Service area canopy. Open air roof -like structure that projects
from the wall of a building or is freestanding and is for the purpose of
shielding equipment and/or people from the elements; is often found
covering service or gasoline station islands.
Subd. 29Sign. Any written message, pictorial presentation, number,
illustration, decoration, banner or other device that is used to
announce, direct attention to, identify, advertise or otherwise make
anything known. For purpose of maintenance or removal, the term
"sign" shall also include frames and support structures.
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Subd. 3OSign area. The area in square feet of smallest rectangle, circle,
or triangle that contains the sign copy.
Subd. 31 Sign height. The distance measured perpendicular from the
highest point of the sign structure to the average elevation of the
street used for access to the property.
Subd. 32Temporary sign. A sign designed to be displayed for a limited
period of time that is not permanently affixed to the land or to a
structure.
Subd. 33 Wall sign. A sign attached to or erected against an exterior
wall surface of a building or structure.
Subd. 34Window sign. A sign mounted inside of a building within the
window area that is applied or fastened to the window in a manner
that is intended to be viewed from outside the building.
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Section 1220 — Permit and Review Process
1220.01 Permit Required. Except for those signs listed in Section 1230.01,
no sign shall be erected, altered, reconstructed, maintained, moved, or
enhanced in the City without obtaining a sign permit from the City. The
content of the message or speech displayed on the sign shall not be
considered when approving or denying a sign permit; however, the content
must be submitted to evaluate the sign copy area and to restrict permanent
off -premise signs. A separate sign application shall be required for each
sign.
1220.02 Application Process. An application for a sign permit shall be on the
City's official sign application. Unless waived by the City Administrator or
their designee, each application shall contain the following information or it
shall be considered incomplete:
Subd. 1 Name, signature, address, and phone number of the property
owner (required).
Subd. 2 Name, signature, address, and phone number of the applicant
(if different than the property owner).
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Subd. 3 Parcel ID of the property.
Subd. 4 A complete set of plans drawn to scale showing the necessary
elevations, setbacks, size, and details to fully and clearly represent the
construction and place of the signs(s).
Subd. 5 Type of sign (wall, monument, pole, etc.).
Subd. 6 Certification by the applicant(s) indicating the application
complies with all requirements of this Chapter.
Subd. 7 A separate building permit may also be required from the
Building Official for signs involving new or modified sign structures.
Subd. 8 If the applicant is not the property owner, the applicant shall
obtain written permission from the property owner and provide a copy
to the City prior to approval of the permit.
1220.03 Review Process. The City Administrator or their designee shall
approve or deny the sign permit application in an expedited manner, no more
that thirty (30) days from the receipt of the completed application, including
applicable fees. All permits not reviewed within thirty (30) days shall be
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deemed approved. Applicants shall be notified in writing if the application is
denied, including the reasons for denial.
1220.04 Appeals Process. Appeals shall be made to the Planning Commission
in writing within fifteen (15) days of the confirmed delivery of the denial
letter for the sign permit application. The Planning Commission shall hold a
hearing as soon as practicable but not more than forty-five (45) days after
confirmed receipt of the appeal to review the appeal and make a
recommendation to the City Council. The City Council shall review the
Planning Commission's recommendation as soon as practicable but not more
than forty-five (45) days after the Planning Commission's recommendation.
1220.05 Fees. Sign permit fees and the impoundment fee shall be set by the
City Council by ordinance on an annual basis.
1220.06 Inspection & Enforcement.
Subd. 1 Inspection Authority. All signs shall be subject to inspection
by the City Administrator or their designee, who is hereby authorized
to enter upon any property of premise to ascertain whether the
provisions of this Chapter are being obeyed. Such entrance shall be
made during business hours unless an emergency exists.
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Subd. 2 Signs in Disrepair. The City Administrator or their designee
may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance
with the maintenance provisions of this ordinance. Upon failure to
comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the
City Council may declare the sign to be a public nuisance, impound it,
and assess the cost of removal to the sign owner or the sign owner's
agent.
Subd. 3 Impoundment of Signs on Public Property or Within Public
Right-of-way. The City Administrator or their designee may, at any
time and without notice, impound signs that have been installed on
public property, within a public right -of way, or within a public
easement that are in violation of this Chapter. The sign owner or their
agent may retrieve an impounded sign subject to the following rules:
A. Payment of an impoundment release fee. Any subsequent
impoundment(s), within one calendar year, for a particular
property or sign owner will require payment of double the
initial impoundment release fee.
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B. Any impounded sign may be retrieved from the impound
area within three (3) business days of the impoundment or
the City Administrator or their designee may dispose of it.
The impound area can be located by contacting City Hall. Any
cost incurred by the City for disposal of an impounded sign
may be assessed to the sign owner or the sign owner's
agent.
C. The City shall have no obligation to notify a property owner
that it has impounded a sign.
D. The City shall not be held liable for any damage to an
impounded sign.
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City of Arden Hills Chapter 12 Sign Code
Section 1230 — Exempt and Prohibited Signs
1230.01 Exemptions. All signs shall require an approved sign permit prior to
placement except for the signs specifically noted in this section. Exempted
signs shall not reduce the permitted signage for a property. These
exemptions shall not relieve the owner of the sign from the responsibility of
its maintenance and its compliance with the provisions of this Chapter or any
other law or ordinance regulating the same.
Subd. 1 Government Signs. All governmental signs, including but not
limited to traffic control and other regulatory purpose signs, street
signs, identification signs, informational signs, danger signs and
railroad crossing signs.
Subd. 2 Non-commercial Signs in an Election Year. Signs of any size
containing non-commercial speech may be posted from August 1 in any
general or City election year until ten (10) days following the general
election and thirteen (13) weeks prior to any special election until ten
(10) days following the special election provided that the signs are in
compliance with Minnesota Statutes. These non-commercial signs
shall be placed in accordance with Section 1250.03 Subd 2, 3, and 4.
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Subd. 3 Address Signs. Address identification not exceeding four (4)
square feet in area for each structure or portion of a structure with an
assigned address. Street identification numbers are required in all sign
districts and should be clearly visible from the street.
Subd. 4 Exempt Residential Signs. Properties in Sign Districts 1 and 3
shall be allowed up to eight (8) square feet of signage provided that a
single sign is no larger than six (6) square feet, the signs are not
illuminated, and freestanding signs are at least five (5) feet from any
property line.
Subd. 5 Temporary Off -premise Signs. Temporary off -premise signs
as designated in Section 1250.03;
Subd. 6 Portable Signs. Portable A -frame, T-frame, sandwich , or
other similar signs that do not exceed six (6) square feet in size, are
not illuminated, are located within fifteen (15) feet of the primary
entrance to a building, and are displayed only during the hours of
business operation. No more than two of these signs shall be in place
at any given time.
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Subd. 7 Incidental Signs. Incidental signs or signs within a building
provided that the sign is not readily visible from the public right-of-
way, adjacent properties, and are not illuminated; and,
Subd. 8 Window Signs. Window signs that are inside of a building
shall not require a permit but shall be in accordance with Section
1240.02 Table 1.
Subd. 9 Non-commercial Signs. Any sign display or device allowed
under this section may contain, in lieu of other copy, any otherwise
lawful noncommercial message that does not direct attention to a
business operated for profit, or to a commodity service for sale, and
that complies with the size, height and lighting requirements of this
Chapter.
1230.02 Prohibited Signs. The following signs shall be prohibited in all sign
districts:
Subd. 1 Signs with Moving, Swinging, Revolving, or Rotating parts.
Subd. 2 Dynamic Display Signs.
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Subd. 3 Roof Signs.
Subd. 4 Projecting signs.
Subd. 5 Noncompliant Signs. Any sign not constructed, wired,
assembled, attached or supported in conformance with applicable
building or other codes and regulations;
Subd. 6 Signs in the Right-of-way. Signs in the public right-of-way
except as provided for in Section 1250.03, by Minnesota Statutes, or
allowed by the agency regulating the right-of-way;
Subd. 7 Signs attached to public utility poles, trees, street signs,
stoplights, or fences;
Subd. 8 Permanent outdoor advertising sign, including billboards;
Subd. 9 Portable Signs. Portable signs shall be prohibited, except for
portable A —frame, T-frame, sandwich, or other similar signs that do not
exceed six (6) square feet in size.
Subd. 1OSigns in the Clear Vision Area.
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Subd. 11 Signs Imitating Traffic Control Signs. Signs which are
designed to resemble official traffic signs except signs which are used
to control traffic on private property;
Subd. 11Any sign, sign type, sign lighting, or sign technology not
specifically listed as permitted in this Chapter shall be prohibited.
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Section 1240 — General Sign Regulations
1240.01 Regulation by Sign District. For the purpose of regulating signs, the
following nine sign districts are adopted:
District
Description
1
All residential properties zoned R-1 or R-2.
2
All non-residential uses in the R-1 through R-4
zoning districts.
3
All residential properties zoned R-3 and R-4.
All properties fronting on County Road E east of
4
Highway 51 except for those properties with
frontage on Lexington Avenue.
5
All properties fronting on Lexington Avenue South
of Interstate 694.
All properties zoned for commercial or industrial
6
use fronting on Lexington Avenue north of
Interstate 694, properties along Highway 96, and
properties located in the B-1 zoning district.
All properties in the I -Flex, Gateway Business, or
7
other commercial or industrial district without
frontage on a roadway designated above.
8
All properties zoned Neighborhood Business.
9
The parts of the TCAAP area not fronting on
Highway 96.
1240.02 Permitted Sign Type, Area, Height, and Illumination by Sign District.
All signs shall conform to the applicable standards in Table One: Sign
Standards by Sign District. The following provisions shall also apply:
Subd. 1 Wall Sign. Wall signs shall not extend more than eighteen
(18) inches from the wall they are attached to.
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Subd. 2 Freestanding Pole or Monument Signs.
A. No more than one freestanding sign shall be permitted on
any site except in cases where properties front more than
one public street. For properties that front more than one
public street, an additional freestanding sign may be
permitted for each street front provided that each additional
freestanding sign does not exceed half the size of the
maximum sign area allowed for a freestanding sign in the
underlying sign district.
B. The sign area of a freestanding sign shall only be calculated
using one side of the sign. If the two sides are different
sizes, the larger side shall be used for determining sign area.
C. Freestanding signs in Sign District 5 shall be monument type
ground signs with the copy resting on and supported by a
solid base of brick or rock -faced block in a color similar to or
complimentary to the main structure on the site. The
material of the base must extend at least one-half way up
the sides of the sign face.
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D. Freestanding signs shall be located at least five (5) feet from
any property line and shall not project over the property line.
However, if the bottom edge of the sign copy is not located at
least ten (10) feet above the ground with supports that do not
encroach on the clear vision area of approaching traffic, the
sign shall be located to preserve the clear vision area.
E. The total area of a freestanding sign shall not exceed 1.5
times the permitted sign copy area of a freestanding sign. The
total sign area includes all sign copy, graphics, decorative
features, borders, and structural supports except for the
poles.
Subd. 3 Service Area Canopy. Each edge of a service area canopy
facing a street is permitted twenty-five (25) square feet of sign area in
addition to all other sign area permitted on the site. Such signage may
be illuminated externally, internally, or backlit, but no other part of the
face of the canopy shall be illuminated.
Subd. 4 Awnings and Canopies. No part of an awning or sun
canopy shall be less than eight (8) feet or greater than twelve (12) feet
above grade. Any sign area on the awning, if illuminated, will be
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deducted from the permitted wall sign area. The fabric or material
used for the awning or canopy must be opaque and no internal
illumination is permitted.
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Table 1
1240.02 - Table 1: Sign Standards by Sign District
Sign Type
District 1
Residential
R1/R2
District 2
Non-
Residential
Uses R1-R4
District 3
Residential
R3/R4
District 4
County E Frontage
District 5
Lexington S of 694
District 6
Lexington N of 694,
96 & B1
District 7
1 FLEX & Gateway,
Non -Frontage
Commercial
District 8
Neighborhood
Business
District 9
TCAAP without frontage
on Highway 96
WALL
Total sign copy area
8 sf
20 sf
20 sf
60 sf
80 sf
60 sf
45 sf
30 sf
30 sf
Max Height
none
none
none
none
none
none
none
14 ft
14 ft
Lighting (a)
Not permitted
external
Not permitted
E/I/B
E/I/B
E/I
E/I
Not permitted
Not permitted
FREESTANDING
Type (b)
M/P/O
M/P/O
M/P/O
M/P/O
M/O
M/P/O
M/P/O
M/P/O
Not permitted
Total sign copy area
6 sf
48 sf
32 sf
80 sf
100 sf
45 sf
25 sf
60 sf
Not permitted
Max Height
8 sf
6 ft
8 sf
22 ft (c)
16 ft
12 ft
8 ft
8 ft
Not permitted
Lighting
Not permitted
E/I
E
E/I/B
E/I/B
E/I/B
E
E/I
Not permitted
GRAPHIC
Total sign area
Not permitted
25% of wall
Not permitted
25% of wall
25% of wall
Not permitted
Not permitted
Not permitted
Not permitted
Max Height
Not permitted
none
Not permitted
none
none
Not permitted
Not permitted
Not permitted
Not permitted
Lighting
Not permitted
external
Not permitted
external
external
Not permitted
Not permitted
Not permitted
Not permitted
WINDOW
Maximum coveage area
Not permitted
Not permitted
Not permitted
35 % of window
area, not toed'
5% of building
facade
35% of window
area, not to exceed
5% of building
facade
35% of window
area, not to exceed
5% of building
facade
35% of window
area, not to exceed
5% of building
facade
20% of window
area, not to exceed
5% of building
facade
35% of window area, not
to exceed 5% of building
facade
AUXILIARY
Max sign copy area per
si n
2 sf
4 sf
4 sf
8 sf
8 sf
6 sf
8 sf
6 sf
6 sf
Wall Height
Not permitted
4 ft
4 ft
8 ft
8 ft
6 ft
8 ft
6 ft
6 ft
Freestanding Height
2 ft
4 ft
4 ft
8 ft
8 ft
6 ft
8 ft
E ft
6 ft
(a) E = external, I = internal, B = backlit
(b) M = monument, P = pole, O = temporary off -premise sign (see 1250.03)
(c) Single pole support only.
12-29
Adopted: March 10, 2008
City of Arden Hills Chapter 12 Sign Code
Subd. 5 Adult Use Signs. In addition to this Chapter, all adult use
oriented signs shall comply with the sign requirements in the Adult Use
Ordinance. Where any provisions of this Chapter conflict with the
Adult Use Ordinance, the provision that is more stringent shall be
applied.
1240.03 Manual Changeable Message Sign. No more than thirty-five (35)
percent of the actual sign area of a permitted sign in a non-residential sign
district shall be capable of displaying manually changing messages. The
remainder of the sign area shall not have the capability to change messages
even if not used. Manual changing message signs shall not include dynamic
displays.
12-30
DRAFT February 19, 2008
Section 1250 — Special Provisions
1250.01 Allocation of Permanent Signs on Multi -Tenant Developments and
Sites. In multi -tenant buildings or sites, the permitted sign area and sign
types, except for freestanding signs, may be installed by each individual
business establishment that has exclusive use of some portion of the street
or otherwise primary level of the building and direct access to the outside.
Tenants located on the street or otherwise primary level in a center with a
common mall or atrium shall be considered to have direct access to the
outside for the purpose of this section. The management and ownership of
any business establishment proposing to install signage must be separate
and distinct from the management and ownership of any other establishment
in the same building or on the same building lot. Each establishment must
be separated from all other establishments by demising walls [as per the
International Building Code] having no openings or passages.
Subd. 1 Multi -tenant Buildings and Properties Sign Allocation.
Signage for establishments occupying a multi -tenant building or site
but not located on the street or primary level of the building must be
provided from the allocation of sign area and type to the occupants of
the street or primary level of the building as determined by the
property owner.
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Subd. 2 Freestanding Signs on Multi -tenant Buildings and
Properties. For freestanding signs, a multi -tenant parcel shall be
considered one parcel and freestanding signs shall be permitted in
accordance with Section 1240.02 Table 1. In the case of multiple
tenant sites, the permitted freestanding sign area shall be allocated by
the property owner among its tenants.
1250.02 Temporary On -premise Signs. Except as provided for in 1250.03, all
other temporary signs shall require an approved sign permit prior to placing
the sign and shall conform to the following:
Subd. 1 Temporary Sign Permit Length. Temporary signs, including
portable signs, streamers, pennants, banners, balloons, inflatables or
other similar object with a commercial message, may be displayed on
three (3) occasions per calendar year with a maximum of ten (10) days
for each occasion. The three (3) occasions may be used consecutively
with one permit. Temporary sign permits are nontransferable to other
properties or establishments on the same property.
Subd. 2 Single occupant parcels.
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A. No more than one permitted temporary sign shall be
permitted at any given time. The area of the temporary signage
shall not exceed one half of the permitted sign area as allowed in
Section 1240.02 Table 1 for a particular sign type in the
underlying sign district;
B. Freestanding temporary signs shall only be permitted in
districts where freestanding signs are permitted as allowed in
Section 1240.02 Table 1. If a conforming freestanding sign is
already in place, the temporary freestanding sign shall be
attached to or near to the existing freestanding sign;
Subd. 3 Multi -tenant parcels.
A. Each individual business establishment that has exclusive use
of some portion of the street or otherwise primary level of the
building and direct access to the outside qualifies for the
temporary signs permitted in Section 1250.02 Subd 1. Sign
permits shall not be transferrable to other business
establishments.
B. Temporary wall signage may be permitted for each individual
business establishment that has exclusive use of some portion of
33
the street or otherwise primary level of the building and direct
access to the outside. The total temporary wall sign area for
each tenant shall not exceed one half of the permitted
permanent wall sign area as allowed in Section 1240.02 Table 1.
Each business shall not have more than one wall or freestanding
temporary sign at a time.
C. One temporary freestanding sign may be permitted for each
individual business establishment that has exclusive use of some
portion of the street or otherwise primary level of the building
and direct access to the outside. The total area of all temporary
freestanding signage for the parcel shall not exceed one half of
the permitted area of permanent freestanding signage for the
parcel as allowed in Section 1240.02 Table 1. The total
permitted temporary freestanding sign area shall be allocated by
the property owner or their designee among its tenants.
Subd. 4 Grand Openings. New businesses with grand openings are
eligible for one additional temporary sign permit of any type permitted
in the underlying sign district with an approved permit. The sign may
be in place for up to thirty (30) days provided all other requirements in
34
this section are met and the required permits are obtained. This
eligibility shall expire six months after the business opens.
Subd. 5 Lease or Vacant Space. Buildings or parcels with space for
sale or lease may obtain a temporary sign permit for one temporary
wall or monument sign that does not expire until seven (7) days after
the building or parcel is leased or sold. A wall sign shall not exceed
twenty-five (25) square feet in size and shall be used in place of a
permanent wall sign. A freestanding sign shall not exceed fifteen (15)
square feet in size and shall be attached or immediately adjacent to an
exiting freestanding sign. All other provisions in this section 1350.02
shall apply.
Subd. 6 Temporary Sign Height. A temporary sign shall not exceed
the height limits listed in Section 1240.02 Table 1 for a permanent sign
of a particular sign type in a given district, including inflatable signs
and balloons.
Subd. 7 Sign Installation. Temporary signs shall be secured and
well -constructed so as not to create a hazard to pedestrians or
vehicles.
35
Subd. 8 Illumination. A temporary sign shall not be illuminated.
Subd. 9 Location. The permitted location of all temporary signs are
subject to change as determined by the City Administrator of their
designee in order to protect the public health, safety, welfare, and
aesthetics.
Subd. 10 Mounds View, Bethel University, and Northwestern College
Banner Signs. Temporary banner signs for athletic fields at Mounds
View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College shall be
exempt from the provisions of this section and shall comply with the
applicable provisions of Chapter 1250.04.
1250.03 Temporary Off -premise Signs.
Subd. 1 Sign Number Limit. Up to five (5) freestanding, temporary,
off -premise signs may be placed in the City right-of-way or on private
property provided that the signs:
A. Are four (4) square feet or less in size, less than four (4) feet
high; and at least five (5) feet from the edge of the road;
36
B. Are not illuminated;
C. Are within one mile of the property for which the signs are
advertising (this provision does not preempt the sign
regulations for neighboring communities);
D. Displayed no more than three consecutive days in any seven
day period.
Subd. 2 Permission. The sign owner shall obtain permission from
the property owner on which the sign is placed. Failure to obtain
permission may result in removal of the sign. If the sign is placed in
City right-of-way, the sign owner shall obtain permission from the
property owner that shares a property line with the adjoining right-of-
way where the sign is located. Failure to obtain permission may result
in removal of the sign.
Subd. 5 Disclaimer. The City of Arden Hills shall not be responsible
for damage to any signs placed in the right-of-way.
Subd. 6 Right-of-way Regulatory Authority. Off -premise signs
placed in Ramsey County or State of Minnesota right-of-way shall be
37
subject to Ramsey County and State of Minnesota regulations. Failure
to obtain permission from the appropriate agency may result in
removal of the sign.
1250.04 Temporary Banner Signs for Athletic Fields at Mounds View High
School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College. Athletic fields at
Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College may
be permitted to have temporary banner signs attached to the fences of their
athletic fields provided that such signage faces the field of play so that the
impact of the signage is directed only to those utilizing the field or watching
the sporting event, and not surrounding property owners. In addition, to the
greatest extent possible such signage shall not obstruct sightlines to the
athletic field for those watching the sporting event from the bleachers or
other designated viewing areas. The content of temporary banner signage
shall comply with the sponsorship sign regulations as established by Mounds
View High School, Bethel University, or Northwestern College for their
respective athletic fields. The City Administrator or Administrator's designee
shall determine if the signage is visible from a public roadway or from
property outside of Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and
Northwestern College. If found to be visible, the signs shall comply with the
following size limitations and shall follow the sign permit process as
described below:
Subd. 1 Individual Sign Area. Temporary banner signs shall not
exceed fifty (50) square feet each.
Subd. 2 Total Signage Area. The temporary banner sign shall not
exceed a massing of over nine hundred and sixty (960) square feet in
one area or a total of two thousand (2000) square feet.
Subd. 3 Time Limit. Temporary banner sign shall not be displayed
for more than ninety (90) consecutive days or more than one hundred
and eighty (180) days during the calendar year.
Subd. 4 Permit Requirements. Sign permits shall not be required
for individual banner signs but shall be required where a new group
massing of signage is requested.
Subd. 5 Compliance. The applicant shall demonstrate compliance
with the provisions of this section (including but not limited to: the
dimensions of individual banner signs, the dimensions of that group of
banner signs, and the total square feet of temporary banner signs).
39
1250.05 Permanent Scoreboard Signs for Athletic Fields at Mounds View
High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College. Athletic fields at
Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College may
be permitted to have permanent scoreboard signage at their athletic fields
that is clearly secondary to the overall appearance of the scoreboard. Such
signage shall face the field of play so that the impact of the signage is
directed only to those utilizing the field or watching the sporting event, and
not surrounding property owners. The content of scoreboard signage shall
comply with the sponsorship sign regulations as established by Mounds View
High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College, for their
respective athletic fields. The City Administrator or the Administrator's
designee shall determine if the signage is visible from a public roadway or
from property outside of Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and
Northwestern College. If found to be visible, the signs shall comply with the
following size limitations and shall follow the sign permit process as
described below:
Subd. 1 Sign Area. Scoreboard signage shall not exceed thirty
percent (30%) of the total scoreboard area, nor shall any one
scoreboard sign exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the total scoreboard
area.
.N
Subd. 2 Sign Permit Required. Since the scoreboard signs are
permanent in nature, the applicant shall be required to obtain sign
permit approval prior to the installation of any new scoreboard
sponsorship signs; at such time the applicant shall demonstrate
compliance with the provisions of this section.
1250.06 Permanent Signs for Athletic Fields at Mounds View High School,
Bethel University, and Northwestern College. Athletic fields at Mounds View
High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College may be permitted
to have permanent signage at their respective athletic fields. Such signage
shall be permanent in nature and shall not be lit by a direct lighting source.
Signs may be an entrance gate style sign, signage affixed directly to a press
box/grandstand, or signage included on the scoreboard. Such signage shall
be constructed of durable materials (finished metal, finished wood, plastic).
The City Administrator or Administrator's designee shall determine if the
signage is visible from a public roadway or from property outside of Mounds
View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College. If found to
be visible, the signs shall comply with the following size limitations and shall
follow the sign permit process as described below:
Subd. 1 Sign Area. The signage area of entrance gate signs shall
not exceed thirty (30) square feet, the signage area of press
211
box/grandstand signage shall not exceed eighty (80) square feet, and
scoreboard field naming signage shall not exceed forty (40) percent of
the total scoreboard area.
Subd. 2 Total Sign Area. The cumulative total of permanent
signage shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet.
Subd. 3 Sign Permit Required. Since the signage would be
permanent in nature, the applicant shall be required to obtain a sign
permit approval prior to the installation of any new signage; at such
time the applicant shall demonstrate compliance with the provisions of
this section.
42
Section 1260 — Sign Standard Adjustments
1260.01 Sign Standard Adjustments. Adjustments to the requirements and
standards for the height, number, type, lighting, area, and/or location of a
sign or signs established by this Chapter may be approved with a Site Plan
Review or a Planned Unit Development process as described for in Section
1320 and 1355 of the Zoning Code. This provision shall not be used to permit
dynamic display signage. In order to approve any sign standard adjustment,
the following criteria of Subd. 1 or Subd. 2 shall be satisfied, and the
necessary criteria of Subd. 3 shall be satisfied:
Subd. 1 There are site conditions which require a sign adjustment
to allow the sign to be reasonably visible from a street immediately
adjacent to the site;
Subd. 2 The sign adjustment will allow a sign of exceptional design
or a style that will enhance the area or that is more consistent with the
architecture and design of the site;
Subd. 3 The sign adjustment will not result in a sign that is
inconsistent with the purpose of the zoning district in which the
property is located or the current land use.
43
221
Section 1270 — Maintenance Repair
1270.01 Maintenance and Repair. All signs shall be kept in good repair and
free from peeling paint, rust, damaged or rotted supports, framework or
other material, broken or missing faces or missing letters. Any structure
from which a sign has been moved or removed shall be repaired with
materials and/or painted or stained to match the existing background.
Subd. 1 Sign Permit Not Required. Activities considered normal
maintenance and repair and not requiring a sign or building permit
shall include activities such as replacing or repairing lamps, ballasts,
transformers, trim, sign fasteners, nuts, or washers; painting the pole
of freestanding signs; and painting the cabinet of freestanding signs or
building signs.
Subd. 2 Sign Permit Required. For any sign that required a permit,
the following activities shall not be considered normal maintenance
and repair a permit shall be required:
A. Re -facing a sign, except for the text on a manual changeable
message sign.
GI
B. Removing the sign for the repair of the cabinet or any part
thereof.
C. Changes made to a sign's size or illumination, including, but
not limited to, height, width, weight, area, adding or
removing illumination
D Changes in poles, structural supports, bases or shrouds,
footings or anchor bolts, moving the sign to a new location,
or replacement of the interior or exterior cabinet frame,
except the sign face.
Subd. 3 Building Permit. A building permit may be required for any
signs involving the construction of or changes to a sign structure
and/or electrical connections as determined by the Building Official
Section 1280 — Non -Conforming Signs
1280.01 Non -conforming Signs. It is the intent of this Chapter that non-
conforming signs shall not be enlarged or expanded, nor be used as grounds
for adding other signs or uses prohibited elsewhere in the same district. It is
further the intent of this Chapter to permit legal non -conforming signs to
remain provided that such signs are safe, maintained so as not to be
unsightly, and have not been abandoned or removed subject to the following
provisions:
Subd. 1 Non -conforming Sign Continuance. A legal non -conforming
sign may be continued through repair, replacement, restoration,
maintenance, or improvement but shall not be expanded or moved to a
new location.
Subd. 2 Non -conforming Sign Discontinuance. If the use of the
non -conforming sign or sign structure is discontinued for a period of
one (1) year, the sign or sign structure shall not be reconstructed or
used except in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter.
Subd. 3 Non -conforming Sign Damaged or Destroyed. Should such
non -conforming sign or sign structure be damaged or destroyed by any
Gf1
means to an extent greater than fifty (50) percent of its market value
or structure and all required permits for its reconstruction have not
been applied for within one -hundred eighty (180) days of when the
sign or sign structure was damaged, it shall not be reconstructed or
used except in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter.
Subd. 4 Sign Regulation Conformance. Should such sign or sign
structure be permanently moved for any reason for any distance, it
shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the sign district in which
it is located after it is moved.
Subd. 5 Loss of Non -conforming Land Use. An existing sign
devoted to a use not permitted by the Section 1320, Zoning Ordinance,
in the zoning district in which it is located shall not be enlarged,
expanded or moved except in changing the sign to a sign permitted in
the sign district in which it is located.
Subd. 6 Loss of Non -conforming Status. When a building or use
loses its nonconforming status, all signs devoted to the structure or
use shall be removed and all signs painted directly on the structure
shall be repainted in a neutral color or a color which will harmonize
with the structure.
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0
Affidavit of Publication
State of Minnesota mnesota I
SS
County of Ranmsey
WES COHEN being duly sworn, on oath, says that
he/she is the publisher or authorized agent and employee of the publisher of the newspaper known
as SHOREVIEW RUT,T,ETTN and has full knowledge of the facts which are
stated below:
(A) The newspaper has complied with all of the requirements constituting qualification as a qualified
newspaper, as provided by Minnesota Statute 331A.02, 331A.07, and other applicable laws, as amended.
(B) The printed SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 2008-002
which is attached was cut from the columns of said newspaper, and was printed and published once each
week, for 1 successive weeks; it was first published on WEDNESDAY , the 19tH day of
MARCH 20 08 , and was thereafter printed and published on every to and
including , the day of , 20 ; and printed below is a copy of
the lower case alphabet from A to Z, both inclusive, which is hereby acknowledged as being the size and
kind of type used in the composition and publication of the notice:
*ABCDEFG H IJ KLMNOPQRSTUV WXYZ
*ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
*a bcd efg h ij k I m n opq rstu vwxyz
Subscribed and sworn to before me on
this 19IH day of MARCH 20 08
Notary Public
*Alphabet should be in the same size and kind of type as the notice.
�,«e' . TONYA R.ONHETEHEAD
T Notary Public -Minnesota RATE INFORMATION
�� "--+ r My Commission Expires Jan 31, 2010
vtirrivv
(1) Lowest classified rate paid by
commercial users for comparable space ......................................
(2) Maximum rate allowed by law for the above matter
(3) Rate actually charged for the above matter
1 /08
BY: L,,L—
TITLE ACCOUNTING CONTROLLER
$24.00 per col. inch
$23.25 per col. inch
$ per col. inch
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESO'1!A
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO.
2008-002
On the 10th day of March, 2008, the
Arden Hills City Council adopted
Ordinance No. 2008-002, and by five
__-.._---------
affirmative votes pursuant to Minn. Stat.
§412.191, Subd. 4, directed that a
summary of Ordinance 2008-002 be
published.
Chapter 12 and its subdivisions are
collectively known as, Ordinance 2008-
002, entitled "Sign Code The primary
purpose of the ordinance is to regulate
the number, size, type, location, and
illumination of signs within the City and
to ease in the enforcement of these
regulations.
A full copy of Ordinance 2008-002 is
available for inspection by any person
during regular business hours at the
office of the City Administrator, 1245
West Highway 96, Arden Hills,
Minnesota 55112. The Ordinance is also
available online at http://www.ci.arden-
hills.mn.us.
(Bulletin: Mar. 19, 2008)
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