|
EL
PASO COUNTY
LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE
Chapter
IV - Section 35.4
ADVERTISING DEVICES
PART
I:
PURPOSE
AND INTENT
The
purpose and intent of the sign regulations is to promote and protect
the public health, safety, and welfare; provide uniform standards;
and to recognize the right of businesses to utilize signage as
a communication method for their businesses. As such, their location,
number, size, height, and design have a significant influence
and effect upon the visual environment of the area.
Sign
regulations should, therefore, protect property values; protect
the public from damage or injury caused by or partially attributable
to distractions or obstructions which may be caused by improperly
situated signs; provide a reasonable balance between allowances
for signage and sign regulations; create pleasant and attractive
surroundings; discourage visual discord and clutter resulting
from the proliferation, over-concentration, and placement of signs;
promote and pro-vide signs which do not contribute to unpleasant
impressions and potential confusion; enhance the aesthetic qualities
of the area; assure that signs are well designed, attractive,
and compatible with adjoining properties as well as the uses which
they are designed to advertise; and encourage signs which prevent
overload of visual stimuli and are legible in the circumstances
in which they are seen. Advertising devices shall be permitted
in the various zoning districts as accessory uses in accordance
with the following regulations.
A.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.
Definitions: Please refer to Chapter
III, Definitions, for applicable sign definitions.
2.
Setback Requirements: Unless otherwise specified
in this section, all advertising structures shall be set back
in accordance with the building set-back lines required by the
particular zone district. However, a flat wall sign may project
not more than eighteen (18) inches into the required setback.
3.
Signs along highways as defined in Section 43-1-101
(1) C.R.S. and signs along the Interstate system of highways as
defined in Section 43-2-101 (2), C.R.S. are prohibited unless
such signs conform with all of the requirements of the Outdoor
Advertising Act, Part 4 of Article 1 of Title 43, C.R.S. and any
rules and regula-tions promulgated by the State of Colorado Department
of Highways pursuant thereto and any applicable federal law and
rules and regulations.
No
site plan to authorize a building permit shall be approved until
such time as a State Sign Permit has been obtained where required
and a copy of such is provided to the Development Services Department.
B.
BUILDING PERMITS
1.
No advertising device, except those exempted below,
shall be erected, maintained, or otherwise used without the issuance
of a building permit from the Regional Building Department.
2.
The following advertising devices shall not require
building permits or Development Services Department approval and
are allowed within any zone district, unless otherwise indicated:
a.
Official governmental signs.
b.
Political signs, within the limitations of Subsection H.2.
c.
Advertising devices of less than six (6) square
feet in area with none of the dimensions exceeding three (3)
feet and a height of four (4) feet provided said sign is specifically
allowed within the applicable zoning district.
d.
Devices erected by home owners' associations or architectural
review committees referencing restrictions or their control
within a development; no such sign shall exceed sixteen (16)
square feet in area.
e.
Flagpoles with the flag, pennant, or insignia of the nation,
state, country, city, any religious, civic, or fraternal organization,
or any educational institution, providing no flag pole exceeds
the height limitation of the applicable zoning district.
f.
Real estate and model home signs, provided they
meet the applicable criteria of this section.
g.
Information signs of less than six (6) square feet
in area with no dimension exceeding three (3) feet.
h.
Window signs.
C.
GENERAL REGULATIONS, PROVISIONS, AND RESTRICTIONS GOVERNING
ADVERTISING DEVICES
1.
Every application for a sign permit shall be accompanied
by information and drawings adequate to show compliance with all
applicable requirements of this section and any other applicable
regulations of the County. The application shall be accompanied
by clear and complete graphic and written information showing
size, shape, wording, height, lighting, pro-posed location for
each sign, other signs on the property, signs within four hundred
(400) and one thousand (1,000) feet, respectively (off-premise
only), and all setbacks from property lines.
2.
No permit shall be issued for the erection, use or
maintenance of any advertising device, nor shall any advertising
device be erected, used or maintained, which is or would be:
a.
At a point where it would encroach upon the right-of-way
of any public highway;
b.
Along a highway within five hundred (500) feet of the center
point of an intersection of such highway at grade with another
highway or with a railroad in such a manner as to materially
obstruct or reduce the existing view of traffic;
c.
Along a highway at any point where it would reduce the existing
view of traffic in either direction or of a traffic control
or directional sign to less than five hundred (500) feet (see
drawing No. 1);
d.
Within five hundred (500) feet in any direction
of any other off-premise advertising device.
3.
Authorization by the Development Services Department
for issuance of a building permit is valid for a period of thirty
(30) days.
4.
No permit shall be issued nor shall any advertising
device be erected which simulates any official, directional, or
warning sign erected or maintained by the United States, State
of Colorado, municipality, or the County, or which involves lights
simulating or resembling traffic signals or traffic control signs.
5.
No permit shall be issued nor shall any advertising
device be nailed, tacked, posted, or attached in any manner except
as a foundation which meets structural criteria established by
the Regional Building Department on trees, rocks or other natural
objects, nor shall any such advertising device be attached to
any post or pole maintained or owned by a public utility.
6.
The name of the person owning, leasing, or controlling
any advertising device shall be placed in a conspicuous place
on each off-premise advertising device structure.
7.
In all cases, the height of the sign shall be determined
using the average elevation of the finish grade of the surrounding
area, and shall not exceed the height limit of the applicable
zone district.
8.
A berm specifically utilized as the base for a sign
shall be included as part of the sign in determining the sign
height.
9.
Portable or movable signs, or inflatable devices including blimps
or balloons used as signs, are prohibited, except for such portable
signs or inflatable devices which are hand held by any person
or persons, and except portable or movable signs and ground mounted
temporary or inflatable signs as specified within Section 35.4
H.1. Manned balloons or airships are not included in these restrictions
and prohibitions.
10.
Signs or structures shall be of permanent type construction
unless other-wise allowed within this section. No sign other than
the signs as approved by the Board of County Commissioners may
be painted, pasted or similarly posted directly on the surface
of any freestanding wall or on any fence, except as noted within
F.1.c.(2), or the roof of any building. No vehicle bearing a sign
shall be parked on the premises in such a manner as to constitute
a sign.
11.
All signs shall be made stationary unless otherwise
allowed within this section.
12.
No sign shall be illuminated unless the source of
light is steady and so suitably shielded that no direct rays from
it are visible elsewhere than on the lot where the illumination
occurs. Time-temperature-date signs and illuminated signs located
in commercial or industrial zone districts which change no more
frequently than once every twenty-four (24) hours are exempt from
the steady illumination requirement.
13.
No sign is allowed with lights or illuminations that
flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker, vary in intensity,
vary in color, or use intermittent electrical pulsations, except
time-temperature-date signs.
14.
A time-temperature-date sign that does not exceed
ten (10) square feet per face may be provided in any commercial
or industrial zoning district in addition to the allowable sign
area permitted in this section. Any identification or advertising
that is attached to or made part of the same sign structure is
subject to the allowable sign area for the sign. The owner of
the sign shall maintain it and insure that it is kept accurate.
15.
No sign may obstruct the view of motor vehicle operators entering
or leaving any parking area, service drive, driveway, street,
alley, or other thoroughfare. Generally, a twenty-five (25) foot
by twenty-five (25) foot sight triangle will pro-vide an adequate
unobstructed view area.
16.
Flags not of the types listed within B.1.e. are subject
to the following limitations:
a.
Only one (1) such flag is allowed.
b.
The area of the flag shall not exceed forty (40)
square feet or two (2) square feet of sign for each linear foot
of wall area it is adjacent or closest to, whichever is less.
c.
The allowable wall signage adjacent or closest to the flag shall
be reduced by the size of the flag; the adjacent wall and flag
in combination shall not exceed two (2) square feet of sign
for each linear foot of wall area or forty (40) square feet.
d.
No freestanding flagpole shall exceed twenty (20)
feet in height if located within a building setback area or
the structural height limit of the applicable zone district
if beyond the minimum setback.
e.
A flag pole may extend within the setback area provided
it is located within ten (10) feet of a building wall.
17.
A non-commercial sign shall be allowed within any
commercial or industial zone.
In
all commercial or industrial zoning districts, non-commercial
low-profile, wall, projecting, canopy, and awning signs are subject
to the total number, sign area, height, and setback limitations
of the applicable zoning district.
D.
DIRECTION SIGNS
1.
For the purpose of this Section 35.4, D.1., Direction
Signs which satisfy all of the following criteria shall be considered
"temporary" and shall not be considered off-premise
advertising devices and shall be permitted in any zone district
upon approval of a site location plan by the Development Services
Director.
a.
Signs within this section shall be allowed pursuant to the definition
of DIRECTION SIGN.
b.
Signs shall be limited to a duration of one (1)
year.
c.
Signs shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet
per face and the total height of the sign shall not exceed ten
(10) feet.
d.
No sign shall be illuminated.
e.
All signs shall meet the setbacks applicable to
the particular zoning district in which the sign is located;
however no sign shall be closer than twenty-five (25) feet from
the right-of-way. Additional setbacks may be required if it
is determined that the sign may interfere with sight visibility.
f.
The following information shall be submitted with
the site location plan for approval by the Development Services
Director:
(1)
Map, drawn to scale, depicting the location of the proposed
sign and referencing distances to all property lines, structures,
and other significant features of the site;
(2)
Diagram of the sign depicting size and the information
to be contained thereon;
(3)
Copy of a State Sign Permit, if applicable;
(4)
Written confirmation of the property owner's permission
to locate the sign at the proposed location;
(5)
Written approval from the El Paso County Department
of Transportation as to the location or the sign.
2.
Direction Signs not permitted by Subsection 1.b. through 1.e.
above shall require Use Subject to Special Review approval in
any zone district.
E.
NONCONFORMING ADVERTISING DEVICES
1.
For the purpose of this section, a nonconforming advertising
device shall mean: "any legally existing advertising device
which does not conform to the regulations of this section or any
other section of these zoning resolu-tions either at the effective
date of the regulation establishing the section or as a result
of subsequent amendments which may be incorporated into these
Zoning Regulations."
2.
The right to maintain any nonconforming advertising
device shall be terminated by one or more of the following:
a.
Abandonment of the nonconforming advertising device
for a continuous period of one (1) year;
b.
Increase of any dimensions of the nonconforming
advertising device over its dimensions on the date that the
device became non-conforming;
c.
Damage to or destruction of the nonconforming advertising
device from any cause whatsoever, except by willful destruction,
where the cost of repairing the damage or destruction exceeds
fifty (50) percent of the replacement cost of such device on
the date of damage or destruction. In determining the replacement
cost of any nonconforming advertising device there shall not
be included the cost of the land, or the cost of renting land,
or any factor other than the device itself;
d.
Failure of the nonconforming advertising device
to comply with the existing regulations at time of construction.
3.
The advertising copy, orientation or trim on the structure
or sign may be changed on any advertising device which is conforming
or nonconforming as described in Section 35.4 E.1. All such signs
shall be maintained in good repair and any damaged sign, however
caused, shall be repaired (or replaced, if applicable).
4.
On sites which contain nonconforming signs that exceed the number
of signs allowed, the following shall occur when an additional
sign is requested:
Two
(2) nonconforming signs shall be removed for every one (1) new
or replacement sign. The maximum size of the new sign shall not
exceed the limits of the sign criteria in effect or the maximum
size of the largest sign being replaced, which-ever is less.
F.
REGULATIONS BY ZONE CLASSIFICATION
The
regulations set forth in subsections A through E of this section
shall apply to all zone districts. In addition thereto, the following
regulations for on-premise signage shall be applicable:
1.
F (Forest and Recreation) District
RR-1 (Rural Residential)
District
RR-2 (Rural Residential)
District
RR-3 (Rural Residential)
District
A-1 (Agricultural) District
R-T (Residential-Topographic)
District
R (Residential) District
R-1 (Residential) District
R-2 (Residential) District
R-4 (D-1) (Planned Development
District - Dwelling, Single Family)
R-4 (D-2) (Planned Development
District - Dwelling, Duplex)
PUD (Planned Unit Development)
District - Single Family Dwelling and Duplex
On-Premise
advertising devices;
a.
Name Plates, Identification, Home Occupation and
Non-commercial Signs
There
shall not be more than one (1) name plate, not exceeding two
(2) square feet in area for each dwelling unit, indicating the
name, home occupation or non-commercial message; it must be
located not less than five (5) feet from a property line with
a maximum height of four (4) feet.
b.
Announcement Signs
Signs,
for those permitted or special uses other than residential shall
be limited to one (1) sign per lot; such signs shall be limited
to twenty (20) square feet in area; no dimension shall exceed
ten (10) feet; set back shall be at least fifteen (15) feet
from any property line with a maximum height of twelve (12)
feet. Such signs shall not be used as sale, lease or rent signs.
Schools and churches shall be allowed an additional twenty (20)
square feet of wall signage on the building.
c.
Subdivision/Development Identification Sign
One
(1) sign indicating the name of the subdivision shall be allowed
at a street entrance of the subdivision or development subject
to the following:
1)
One (1) low-profile sign, not exceeding forty
(40) square feet in size, six (6) feet in height and set back
at least twenty-five (25) feet from property lines;
or
2)
One (1) sign attached to a freestanding wall or fence pro-vided
the sign does not exceed forty (40) square feet in size, does
not extend above the height of the wall or fence, and providing
further that proper sight distance as required by the El Paso
County Department of Transportation is maintained at street
intersections.
2.
R-3 Residential District
R-4 (D-3) Planned Development
District, Multifamily (3 or more units)
R-4 (C&T) Planned
Development District, Condominiums and Town-houses
PUD Planned Unit Development
District (Multifamily uses only)
Same
as Section 35.4 F.1.a., b., and c.
3.
MHP Mobile Home Park District
MHS Mobile Home Subdivision
District
RVP (Recreational Vehicle
Park) District
RVS (Recreational Vehicle
Subdivision) District
Same
as Section 35.4 F.1.a., b., and c.
4.
NBD Neighborhood Business District
PBP Planned Business
Park District
PBC Planned Business
Center District
PBD Planned Business
District
POC Planned Office Complex
C-1 Commercial District
C-2 Commercial District
R-4C Planned Development
District (Commercial)
PUD Planned Unit Development
District (Commercial usage only)
a.
Individual User Signs
1)
For Buildings/Uses Located Within a Center
(a)
Number of Signs: One (1) low-profile sign is
allowed per freestanding building; the low-profile sign
shall be located within one hundred twenty-five (125) feet
of the building or use it identifies or advertises.
(b)
Area: The maximum sign size shall not exceed
two (2) square feet of signage for each linear foot of the
building wall which the sign is closest to or forty (40)
square feet, whichever is smaller. A wall sign and low-profile
sign which would utilize the same wall to compute the allowable
size shall in combina-tion not exceed two (2) square feet
of signage for each linear foot of the building wall or
forty (40) square feet.
(c)
Setback: No low-profile sign shall be closer
than three (3) feet from a property line. However, signs
will be required to maintain greater setbacks when one of
the following occurs:
(1)
An easement exists which is greater than three
(3) feet. No sign will be allowed within any utility or
drainage easement;
(2)
It is determined by El Paso County Department
of Public Works or State Highway Department, as applicable,
that sight visibility will be impaired and a greater setback
is necessary.
(d)
Height: The maximum height of a low-profile
sign is six (6) feet.
(e)
Bonus Provision: Area and height may be increased
subject to the bonus provisions of Section G.1.
2)
For Freestanding Buildings not located within a Center
(a)
Number of signs: One (1) freestanding or low-profile
sign is allowed.
(b)
Area: Same as F. 4. a. (1) ((b))
(c)
Setback: Ten (10) feet except for low-profile
which is subject to F. 4. a. (1) ((c)).
(d)
Height: The maximum height of a freestanding sign shall
not exceed the height of the building on the property unless
adjacent to or within three hundred (300) feet of a grade-separated
intersection or inter-state highway, which would then be
the maximum height of the zone district.
(e)
Bonus Provision: Same as G.2. a. and b.
3)
Independent uses without buildings or structures:
Same
criteria as F. 4. a. 1., except maximum size is forty (40)
square feet.
b.
Identification Sign (Center)
For
purposes of signage allowances and/or restrictions, a center
is that area of land contained within the same zoning or rezoning
approval resolution, which may include multiple owners, lots,
or parcels; which utilizes common access; and which functions
as a unified development.
1)
Number of Signs: Centers with two (2) or more
tenants or users are allowed center identification sign(s)
based on the following area of a center:
No
freestanding center identification sign shall be closer than
five hundred (500) feet to any other freestanding center identification
sign along the same street frontage in the same center.
2)
Sign Area:
- Center
Size
|
- Sign
Area (per sign)
|
- 0
to 3.99 acres
|
- 40
square feet
|
- 4
to 19.99 acres
|
- 5
square foot sign per acre of land or 1 square foot
sign per 2 linear feet of frontage to which the sign
is adjacent, up to maximum 80 square fet of signate
|
- 20
acres or more
|
- same
as 4 to 19.99 acres except maximum size of 120 square
feet
|
3)
Setback: One (1) foot setback for each foot of
sign height or twenty-five (25) feet, whichever is less, providing
said sign is not located within a utility or drainage easement.
4)
Height: Maximum height of the building(s) within
the center.
5)
Individual inserts or modules: Subject to the
overall sign area requirements.
6)
Bonus Provision: Sign area may be increased subject
to the bonus provisions of Section G.2.
c.
Wall, Projecting, Fascia, Awning and Canopy Signs
1)
The allowable size of wall signs, fascia signs,
awning signs, canopy signs and hanging/projecting signs will
be permitted as indicated below:
For
building walls located within three hundred (300) feet of
a property line, one and one-half (1½) square feet of wall
signage are allowed per linear foot of exterior building wall.
For
building walls located beyond three hundred (300) feet of
a property line, two (2) square feet of wall signage are allowed
per linear foot of exterior building wall.
In
the event that a canopy is adjacent or connected to a wall,
the area of the face of the canopy can be added to the area
of the wall for computation and sign placement purposes.
2)
Signs may be placed on a fascia of a marquee,
canopy, or awning, provided they are eight (8) feet or more
above the ground beneath, and provided further that the sign
does not project above or below the edges of the fascia (see
drawing No. 3).
3)
Wall signs shall not project more than eighteen
(18) inches from the wall to which they are attached.
4)
If the sign is to extend over a walkway, the bottom of the
sign must be eight (8) feet or more above the ground.
5)
The surface to which the sign is attached shall
not have a slope of greater than twenty-five (25) percent
from the vertical (see drawing No. 4).
6)
The sign shall not project above the highest point
of the building, excluding rooftop mechanical structures,
chimneys, elevator shafts, ventilators, and all such other
facilities which may project above that area of the building
commonly known as the roof.
d.
Window Signs: Window signs are allowed in addition
to other signs provided window signs do not exceed fifty percent
(50%) of the window area and are contained within the window
itself.
e.
Miscellaneous Signs
1)
Entrance/Exit Signs: Signs designating entrances
or exits for parking areas shall be limited to one (1) sign
per entrance or exit; such signs shall be limited to six (6)
square feet in area and shall not exceed four (4) feet above
drive-way or street grade, as applicable. No such sign shall
impair sight visibility.
2)
Center Directory Signs: Signs listing businesses
and their loca-- -tions within a development or center shall
be limited to one (1) sign per entrance; such signs shall
be located within one hundred fifty (150) feet of the street
right-of-way on which the entrance is located, and not closer
than fifty (50) feet from the right-of-way; such signs shall
be limited to not more than thirty-two (32) square feet in
area and shall not exceed six (6) feet in height provided
sight visibility is not impaired.
3)
Building Directory Signs: Signs listing businesses
within a building shall be limited to one (1) sign per building
entrance; such sign shall be located within fifteen (15) feet
of the building entrance and shall not exceed thirty-two (32)
square feet in area nor be more than six (6) feet in height.
4)
Menu Board Signs: No more than one (1) menu board
sign shall be allowed per drive-through lane for each drive-through
restaurant. Menu boards may be freestanding or wall mounted,
shall be no more than thirty-two (32) square feet in area,
shall not exceed seven (7) feet in height, and shall be oriented
only to traffic on the drive-through lane.
5)
Drive Thru: Not more than one drive-thru sign
is allowed per use, with a maximum size of six (6) square
feet and maximum height of four (4) feet.
6)
Banners: One (1) banner per building attached
to a building wall not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet
in area.
5.
PID Planned Industrial District
PHID Planned Heavy Industrial
District
R&D Research &
Development District
M Industrial District
PUD Planned Unit Development
District (Industrial uses only)
a.
Individual User Signs
Same
as Section 35.4 F.4.a. except the sign may be located any distance
from the building to which it is adjacent.
b.
Identification Sign (Industrial Park/Development)
For
purposes of signage allowance and/or restrictions, an industrial
park/development is that area of land contained within the same
zoning or rezoning approval resolution, which may include multiple
owners, lots or parcels and functions as a unified development
1)
Number of Signs: Industrial parks or developments
with two (2) or more tenants, users or buildings are allowed
park identification sign(s) based on the following area of
the industrial park or development:
- Industrial
Park Size
|
- #
of Signs
|
- 0
to 4.99 acres
|
- No
sign permitted
|
- 5
to 39.99 acres
|
- 1
sign permitted
|
- 40
to 79.99 acres
|
- 2
signs permitted
|
- 80
acres or greater
|
- 3
signs permitted
|
2)
Sign Area:
- Industrial
Park Size
|
- Sign
Area (per sign)
|
- 5
to 39.99 acres
|
- 100
square feet
|
- 40
acres or greater
|
- 150
square feet
|
3)
Setback: One (1) foot setback for each foot of
sign height or twenty-five (25) feet, whichever is less, provided
that it will not obstruct the movement of vehicular or pedestrian
traffic and sight visibility is not impaired.
4)
Height: The height of a freestanding sign shall not exceed
forty-five (45) feet.
5)
Individual inserts or modules: Subject to overall
sign area require- ments
6)
Bonus Provision: Sign area may be increased subject
to the bonus provisions of Section G.2.
c.
Wall signs - Same as Section 35.4 F.4.c. provided that
no wall sign or signs on any one (1) wall exceeds three hundred
(300) square feet or two (2) square foot sign per linear foot
of building wall, whichever is less.
d.
Direction signs - Signs noting directions shall be limited
to two (2) signs per entrance and are limited to forty-eight
(48) square feet in size and eight (8) feet in height provided
sight visibility is not impaired.
e.
Building directory signs - Same as Section 35.4 F.4.e.(3).
G.
BONUS PROVISIONS
Bonus
provisions are allowed in all commercial and industrial zoning
districts in addition to basic sign allowances to encourage integration
of landscaping; and to provide larger signs when adjacent to major
roadways due to increased speed and traffic.
1.
Low-Profile Signs
a.
Height Increase: The height of low-profile signs
may be increased one (1) foot for every vertical foot of landscaping
at the sign base, up to a maximum sign height of nine (9) feet.
The height of the landscape materials shall be the height at
maturity of the plant materials. The entire base shall be landscaped,
with the plant material spacing consistent with the spacing
noted within the Landscape Policy & Design Manual constituting
one hundred (100) percent coverage and containing a minimum
of twenty-four (24) points as calculated within Section 35.4
G.3.
b.
Same as G.2.a.
2.
Freestanding Identification Signs (Center or Industrial Park/
Development)
a.
Size (Area) Increase - Major Road Provision: When
a free-standing sign is along an arterial or expressway, as
identified on the County's Major Transportation Corridors Plan,
said sign may be increased twenty-five (25) percent of the allowable
sign area.
b.
Size (Area) Increase - Landscape Provision: A sign
may be increased twenty-five (25) percent of the allowable area
providing the sign is landscaped along its entire perimeter.
Plant materials and specifications are those identified within
the El Paso County Landscape Policy & Design Manual. Landscaping
necessary to qualify for the bonus shall contain plant materials
which, in combination, total twenty-four (24) or more points
(see 35.4 G.3.)
c.
Size (Area) Increase - Address Provision: If a sign
includes an address or street and address within the sign, the
area of the address up to twenty (20) square feet will not count
against the allowable sign area. Any additional address area
exceeding twenty (20) square feet will count against the allowable
sign area.
3.
The landscape bonus shall achieve points as follows:
a.
Trees located within fifteen (15) feet of the sign
and not a part of other landscape requirements - seven (7) points
for each tree.
b.
Shrubs/bushes achieving four (4) to six (6) foot
mature height which, based on container size and spacing criteria,
will constitute one hundred (100) percent coverage along at
least:
c.
Shrubs achieving a minimum six (6) foot mature height
which, based on container size and spacing criteria, will constitute
one hundred (100) percent coverage along at least:
d.
Utilizing drought-tolerant plant material for all
plant materials associated with the sign - six (6) points.
4.
Landscape Compliance Statement/Landscape Plan Required:
Any
request which includes this landscape provision shall include
a land-scape plan consistent with Section 35.12 I. and a landscape
compliance statement signed by the owner of the property, utilizing
a format prescribed by the Development Services Department.
H.
SPECIAL PURPOSE AND TEMPORARY SIGNS
1.
Grand Opening/Special Event Signs
Portable
or movable signs, inflatable devices (including blimps or balloons
used as signs or in conjunction with signs), banners, pennants
or streamers are allowed for grand openings and special events
within any commercial or industrial zone district provided that
said events are limited to not more than once per calendar year
and for a period not to exceed fourteen (14) consecutive days.
2.
Political Signs
These
restrictions shall not apply to billboards which are otherwise
allowed within the zoning district.
a.
Each sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet for residentially
zoned lots and thirty-two (32) square feet for all other lots.
Political signs shall be allowed in addition to any other sign
permitted by these regulations.
b.
All political signs shall be removed within ten
(10) days after the election to which the sign pertains.
3.
"For Sale" and "For Rent" Signs
Allowed
within all zoning districts, subject to the following:
One
sign of not more than six (6) square feet in area, a height not
exceeding four (4) feet, pertaining to the sale, lease, or rental
of the property on which the sign is displayed shall be allowed.
4.
Builders' Development Signs
Allowed
within all zoning districts, subject to the following:
A
maximum of two (2) temporary signs, per subdivision, not exceeding
fifty (50) square feet per sign in area and no dimension to exceed
twelve (12) feet, promoting the sale of the development, lots,
and/or new homes within the subdivision or development. Such signs
shall be set back not less than twenty-five (25) feet from any
lot line, and shall not be located nearer than fifty (50) feet
from any residential use, and provided further that the display
of such signs shall be limited to a period of twelve (12) months
or until the development or subdivision is built out. At the expiration
of such period the sign(s) shall be removed.
5.
Builder's Model Home Signs
Allowed
on any residentially zoned property subject to the following:
One
temporary sign per lot, to advertise model homes or a group of
new residences being offered for sale. Said signs shall not exceed
sixteen (16) square feet in area, eight (8) feet in height, shall
not be located less than five (5) feet from any lot line and shall
not impair sight visibility. The display of such signs shall be
limited to a period of six (6) months or until buildout of the
subdivision. At the expiration of such fixed period the sign shall
be removed.
I.
UNIFORM SIGN PROGRAM
In
instances where an entire development is unified and commonality
of signage is desired along with deviations from the other signage
criteria, a uniform sign program may be utilized.
1.
A request for a uniform sign program shall consist of signage
for an entire development, which may otherwise modify the height,
size, location, and/or number of allowable signs.
The
uniform sign program shall follow the procedure and process of
Use Subject to Special Review as indicated within Sections 2 and
4 of the Land Development Code.
2.
Signage utilizing the uniform sign program shall have
mutually unifying elements which include uniformity in materials,
color, height, lettering style, sign type, shape, lighting, location
on buildings, and design motif.
3.
A request for a uniform sign program shall include
property or area which is at least forty (40) acres in size.
4.
A request utilizing the Use Subject to Special Review procedure
for the uniform sign program shall include allowable square footage,
sign locations, sizes, heights, materials, colors, lighting, lettering
type or style, structural supports and such other information
as may be requested by the Development Services Department.
5.
In addition to applicable Use subject to Special Review
findings of Section 35.8, a uniform sign program must meet the
following additional standards and findings:
(a)
The sign program is unified and coordinated.
(b)
Common design elements are utilized which include
but are not limited to material, size, height, letter style,
coloration, illumination, sign shape, location on a building,
and design motif.
6.
Any uniform sign program approved shall govern the
signage upon the property for which it is sought. Any substantial
deviation will require an amendment through the Use Subject to
Special Review process.
PART
II: OFF-PREMISE SIGNS
PURPOSE
AND INTENT
Purposes
and Intent. The purpose of this Section is to limit the impact
of bill-boards on the community; to improve the appearance of
entryways into the community such as Interstate 25, Highway 24,
Highway 24 Bypass and Municipal Airport entryway corridors; to
insure com-patibility between billboards and adjacent land uses,
especially residential uses; and to limit the impact that bill-boards
have on sign clutter in the community; to provide for the dispersion
of billboards; to promote transportation safety; and to provide
for the visual enjoy-ment of the com-munity's natural physical
setting. The County recognizes that billboards are a necessary
and appro-priate advertising medium, and that there are acceptable
and viable locations for billboards within the community. It is
also recognized that there needs to be a balance between the provisions
of this Purpose and Intent section and the needs of the billboard
and advertising industry.
J.
GENERAL
Notwithstanding
the criteria within Section 35.4 of the El Paso County Land Develop-ment
Code, the following criteria shall apply to all off-premise advertising
devices (herein referred to as billboards) within unincorporated
El Paso County.
K.
AREA
No
billboard, except for existing billboards subject to Section P,
(Down-Sizing), shall exceed two hundred forty-five (245) square
feet in sign area. On double-faced signs, only one (1) side is
counted in computing the square footage; for signs with more than
two (2) faces, the square footage of each face shall be counted.
L.
HEIGHT
The
height of a billboard shall be that of the structural height limit
of the applicable zone district.
M.
SETBACKS AND LOCATION STANDARDS
1.
Setbacks
All
billboards shall maintain the structural setbacks of the zone
district in which the billboard is located.
2.
Location Standards
a.
No billboard shall be placed on the roof of any
building or structure.
b.
No billboard shall cantilever over any building
or structure.
N.
ALLOWABLE ZONE DISTRICTS
O.
SPACING STANDARDS
The
following spacing criteria shall apply to billboards:
1.
No billboard shall be spaced less than one thousand
(1,000) feet from any other billboard, except in the PHID (Planned
Heavy Industrial) Zone District, the spacing shall be no less
than four hundred (400) feet from the nearest billboard.
2.
Distances between billboards shall be measured horizontally along
the center line of the street or highway to which the sign is
directed, as set forth in Drawing No. 5.
3.
Only one (1) billboard shall be placed within a radius
of two hundred fifty (250) feet from the center point of any street
or highway intersection as set forth in Drawing No. 5.
4.
No billboard shall be placed within five hundred (500) feet of
any residential zone. Said five hundred (500) foot distance shall
be measured as a radius from the proposed billboard location to
the nearest boundary of the residential zone district, as set
forth in Drawing No. 5. A residential zone is any zone that allows
a residential use.
5.
No new billboard shall be allowed within railroad
rights-of-way.
P.
DOWN-SIZING
1.
Existing billboard faces in all locations shall be reduced to
the following sizes by January 1, 1998:
a.
Billboards with face areas greater than four hundred
(400) square feet shall be replaced at a size not to exceed
four hundred (400) square feet in face area.
b.
Billboards with face areas between three hundred
seventy-seven (377) and two hundred forty-five (245) square
feet shall be replaced at a size up to two hundred forty-five
(245) square feet. Existing billboards of less than two hundred
forty-five (245) square feet shall be restricted to their current
size in the event they are relocated/ replaced.
2.
This provision shall allow existing nonconforming
billboard faces to be replaced at their current location and orientation
with a new billboard face which meets the face area requirements
of these regulations.
3.
Billboards between three hundred seventy-eight (378) square feet
and four hundred (400) square feet are not required to be down-sized.
Q.
RESTRICTED CORRIDORS
No
new billboard shall be allowed within six hundred sixty (660)
feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way along any of the
following restricted corridors except for the removal and replacement
of an existing billboard within the same corridor, subject to
the provisions of this section. The restricted corridors are as
follows:
1.
Interstate 25
2. State Highway 24
3. State Highway 24 Bypass
4. State Highway 115
5. State Highway 105
6. Drennan Road (from Hancock to the Municipal Airport)
Billboards
with faces which are not visible from the restricted corridors
are exempt from this requirement.
R.
CAP AND REPLACEMENT/ BILLBOARD CREDITS
Permits
to erect new billboards shall only be issued to those persons
possessing a "Billboard Credit."
1.
Billboard Credit: Billboard credits shall be issued by the County
to those billboard owners who have removed a previously existing,
lawfully erected billboard after the effective date of these regulations.
It will be the responsi-bility of the permit applicant to show
the ownership, location and date of removal of the billboard.
2.
Credit Basis: Billboard credits shall be issued on
a structure-for-structure, face-to-face replacement basis. For
example, if the removed billboard contained only one (1) face,
its replacement would be allowed only one (1) face.
a.
No credit shall be granted for the partial removal of faces.
b.
No credit shall be granted for the removal of billboard
faces which are less than eighty-four (84) square feet.
3.
Credit Utilization: A billboard credit may only be
used in a location which meets all standards of these regulations.
4.
Transfer of Credits: Credits may be transferred between
parties through legal means.
5.
Billboard Cap: There shall be a limit of ninety-nine
(99) total billboard locations within the unincorporated jurisdiction
of El Paso County.
The
billboard cap shall be reviewed by the Board of County Commissioners
in February 2010.
S.
EXEMPTIONS
This
section shall not pertain to the following types of off-premise
signs:
1.
State-approved signs within State highway rights-of-way.
2.
Off-premise temporary signs which comply with the provisions of
Section 35.4 D. of the Land Development Code.
T.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
All
billboards are subject to the applicable provisions for signs
as set forth in Section 35.4 of the Land Development Code.
...back
to main code page
|
